Which of these would be better? GDDR4 128bit or GDDR3 256bit

[Outlaw]

Here is a review from AnandTech: 3870 VS 8800GT. The only problem that I see is they don't give the settings, unless it is on a different page.

Taken from: http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...readid=2119503

For some obscure reason anandtech and others have been comparing the 3850 to last gen hardware or the 8600GTS (which is a joke, being outperformed by cheaper last gen hardware, 7900GS now costs 80$ on ebay and outperforms it)...

So I decided to go through their charts and summerize a comparison of what REALLY matters... 8800GT vs 3870 vs 3850:

1920x1200
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=6
(estimated from the dot on the chart, so all numbers are +/- 1 or 2 fps)


Bioshock 1920x1200
8800GT: 58 fps
3870: 51 fps = 88% of GT
3850: 45 fps = 78% of GT

Call of Duty 4 1920x1200
8800GT: 55 fps
3870: 51 fps = 93% of GT
3850: ?? fps

Crysis 1920x1200
8800GT: 41 fps
3870: 31 fps = 76% of GT
3850: 27 fps = 66% of GT

HL2: Episode 2 1920x1200
8800GT: 125 fps
3870: 117 fps = 94% of GT
3850: 103 fps = 82% of GT

Oblivion 1920x1200
8800GT: 44 fps
3870: 34 fps = 77% of GT
3850: 27 fps = 61% of GT

Oblivion w/ 4xAA 1920x1200
8800GT: 35 fps
3870: 28 fps = 80% of GT
3850: ?? fps

ET Quake Wars 1920x1200
8800GT: 57 fps
3870: 55 fps = 96% of GT
3850: 46 fps = 81% of GT

Unreal Tournament 3 1920x1200
8800GT: 82 fps
3870: 75 fps = 91% of GT
3850: 65 fps = 79% of GT

World in Conflict 1920x1200
8800GT: 53 fps
3870: 45 fps = 85% of GT
3850: ?? fps


These numbers show the 3850 to be doing pretty well... So it is a viable choice if you are on a budged. Otherwise probably go with a 8800GT if you can get it for a good price. (dell now sells an MSI OC version of it for 207 + tax with free shipping.. 225 total. I ordered one)

Interesting to note that in crysis and oblivion the 3850 is 60% of a GT, while in most other games (especially older ones, but including bioshock) it is 80% of a GT.


1600x1200 info courtesy of thilan29:
from Guru3D using the 3850 512mb version:

Prey 1600x1200
8800GT: 70 fps
3870: 68 fps = 97% of GT
3850: 60 fps = 86% of GT

Crysis (high settings, 1600x1200)
8800GT: 20 fps
3870: 19 fps = 95% of GT
3850: 15 fps = 75% of GT

Stalker 1600x1200
8800GT: 161 fps
3870: 120 fps = 75% of GT
3850: 98 fps = 61% of GT

World in Conflict 1600x1200
8800GT: 60 fps
3870: 60 fps = 100% of GT
3850: 56 fps = 93% of GT

FEAR 1600x1200
8800GT: 66 fps
3870: 62 fps = 94% of GT
3850: 53 fps = 80% of GT

GRAW2 1600x1200
8800GT: 74 fps
3870: 48 fps = 65% of GT
3850: 41 fps = 55% of GT

War Front - Turning Point 1600x1200
8800GT: 89 fps
3870: 59 fps = 66% of GT
3850: 52 fps = 58% of GT

Taken from: http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...readid=2119503

Hope that helps.

[xRyokenx]

Crysis and Oblivion are the two games I really play besides WoW, so I guess the 8800GT it is unless I can't find it at a good price. Actually, I'll save up and buy it, lol. Thanks a TON for the comparisons dude. +rep

[xRyokenx]

I was looking at this card a moment ago and figured it looked good and wasn't too much more than one of those ATi cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122044

Seems like a good deal to me, lol.

[Outlaw]

I think it is. I wish these were out when I built my system... damn to being anxious! lol

I'm not trying to push you further into something else, but what about the EVGA version of the 8800GT, it is only (used lightly, lol) $50 more BUT you get 512MB instead of 256MB and a lifetime warranty. Everything else is the same. Leadtek vs eVGA. Just wanted to point that out. The 512 will come in handy if you are using high res. with a good amount of detail. Almost every review would probably show this. Overall I think that Leadtek would do you pretty good.

[.Maleficus.]

Either one would be a good choice, but hell, if you're getting an 8800GT spend the extra $50 and get double the memory.

If it helps, I just ordered an EVGA 8800GT 512MB Superclocked and it'll be here sometime today. I'll post a review in a few days.

[Outlaw]

Here's some talk about the two

Some more talk...

Hope those help.... It had been said in quite a bit of posts that the 512 will do 30-50% better then the 256 version especially in the newer games like Crysis since there is a lot of detail which uses a lot of memory.

Good Luck!

[xRyokenx]

Well then.... I guess I'm spending about $300 on a video card, lol. Alrighty, I'll be all set for a while then (I hope). Thanks guys, the 512MB 8800GT it is... I'll look at the specs and all of different companies and what not when I have the cash.

EDIT: I'd give rep but I have to spread it around. Lame. Ahh well, you don't need points for a good reputation anyways. *so says the guy with too many bars*

[Outlaw]

Cool, depending on where you are now for savings, there might be a better mid range card that you can look into. Hopefully not...all that research is time consuming. lol Thanks for the rep anyways. Glad to help.

[xRyokenx]

I've got $170 from Christmas stuff and more on the way. After I get $X in the bank I'll order one... or wait until it comes out. We shall see.

A friend of mine told me to just get an SLi mobo, a new CPU, and another 8500GT (if I can RMA that busted one... I know, I'm not on top of things), but I don't think that'd work as well as an 8800.

[.Maleficus.]

I've got $170 from Christmas stuff and more on the way. After I get $X in the bank I'll order one... or wait until it comes out. We shall see.

A friend of mine told me to just get an SLi mobo, a new CPU, and another 8500GT (if I can RMA that busted one... I know, I'm not on top of things), but I don't think that'd work as well as an 8800.

No, it wouldn't. 8800 is the way to go. Unless you wait until *February* when the 9 series comes out. I'm extremely satisfied with my 8800GT. I have Quake Wars maxed right now (granted it's at 1280x1024). I'm also getting 12k on 3DMark, and that's because my CPU is bottlenecking me. After I OC my CPU more, I'll get an even higher 3DMark score.