Video Cards, which one?

Zyne · Post by **Zyne** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 10:06 am

I'm debating whether or not I should wait until February and get the Radeon 3870 X2 (or 3890 whatever it is) instead of getting the 3870. I mean, it's only around $250 CAD. What do you guys think? Or is there another Radeon planned above the Radeon 3870 X2 (3890)?

I'm torn, really need some opinions/suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

-Zyne

Zyne · Post by **Zyne** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:25 pm

My choices are:

-Radeon 3870 (Sapphire or ASUS models both about $250.99 CAD)

-Geforce 8800 GT (Chaintech - $274.99 CAD haven't heard much about the brand though, any good? It's the cheapest 8800 GT I could find by far.)

Should I go for nVidia or AMD? What are your thoughts? Which would be best?

-Zyne

dd5 · Post by **dd5** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:29 pm

If I'm not mistaken, this off the top of my head here so I could be remembering incorrectly the 3870 is a bit behind when compared to the 8800gt. (According to toms hardware.com and Anandtech) The 8800gt is a hair off the 8800gtx and thus if true would provide better bang for buck.
See if you can find an EVGA 8800GT don't know if you can find them shipped to your country at a low price though

OldPhatDad · Post by **OldPhatDad** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:06 pm

I believe dd5 is correct with respect to the comparison between the two cards. That being said, from what I've read, the 3870 is a great card and I'd personally go for that for the 25 dollar saving, as the difference in performance isn't all that great and it runs cooler and quieter than the 8800 from the reports I've seen.

Zyne · Post by **Zyne** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:10 pm

the EVGA 8800GT prices are about $329.99 at all good retailers here, compared to $274.99 Chaintech model, not really sure about the brand though... not really well known. All the GF 8800GT models except the Chaintech one are $320 and above, while the 3870's are at most $255. So OPD, you would go for the Radeon 3870? The Sapphire or ASUS model?

-Zyne

Zyne · Post by **Zyne** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:33 pm

Suggestions regarding my last reply anyone?

-Zyne

YouGiveMeRash!!! · Post by **YouGiveMeRash!!!** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:26 pm

The Radeon 3870 is a good card, but the newly released 256mb 8800GT may be the better choice depending on what resolution you play at. It's around ~$215 shipped USD, so I don't know what the going rate in CAD is.

What resolution do you play at and do you max out AA/AF?

Zyne · Post by **Zyne** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:33 pm

Well, when I get my 24" WS BenQ, it'll probably be at high resolutions like 1440xXXXX and above. I never go above 4x AA and AF not maxed.

-Zyne

YouGiveMeRash!!! · Post by **YouGiveMeRash!!!** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 10:49 pm

I'd go for the 256mb 8800GT if your res isn't going above 1440

It will run most of the new games maxed out, but I can't vouch for Crysis since the game eats up any hardware you throw at it.

Since you won't be cranking up AA/AF all the way to 16, I think the 256mb 8800GT should be adequate.

Playing at a res. of 1440x900 and lower would be ideal and will offer great performance. If you plan on playing at higher resolutions above that, skip the 256mb 8800GT.

I expect the 256mb 8800GT to be wildly popular, even though 256mb is usually "crippling" nowadays for high end GPUs and newer games. The 8800 is efficient though, so it all depends on what resolution you plan to play at really.

sbrehm72255 · Post by **sbrehm72255** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:24 am

If you can hold out and shop around, the 8800GT will be coming back in stock and at their MSRP as well. I picked my BFG 8800GT OC for a low price of $250 about 2 weeks ago and its one sweet card.