3850 AGP: Which one?

[InnocentCriminal]

OK, I'm wondering which of these 3 cards would be the best option, financially as well as for features, performance and overclockability (is that even a real word?!).

One of these cards will go in my brand spanking new Lian Li PC-AO5B along with my 'new' motherboard I've purchased from another TPU member. (TPU members fucking rule!)

So, if you were in my situation, which one would you choose?

Sapphire's offering. (http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Sapphire+ATI+Radeon+HD+3850+512MB+AGP+?productId=3 0898)
http://pan.fotovista.com/dev/4/6/00223264/l_00223264.jpg

PowerColor's offering (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139622)
http://www.tcmagazine.com/images/news/Hardware/PowerColor_Radeon_HD_3850_AGP_01.jpg

HIS' offering. (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-095-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=403)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/pimg/GX-095-HT_400.jpg

My girlfriend said she'd buy this for me for my 23rd which is next month, but £160+ is a lot of money and I don't think I deserve that much spent on me. We'll see...

[Morgoth]

Sapphire hd3570 :)
overclocks like a king :D

[InnocentCriminal]

Where in that list do you see a 3870?

Is that you way of saying go for the Sapphire card?

[ShadowFold]

HIS has been great to me. Are you getting the one with IceQ3 or the stock cooler? Either way HIS is the best.

[InnocentCriminal]

Click the HIS link...

;)

UPDATE: I included pictures to show off the cooling solutions available to me.

[ShadowFold]

No question get the HIS. The IceQ3 is amazing I got a 100% overclock with it and it stayed under 60c load.

[intel igent]

i would have to say the sapphire

a VGA cooler can be found for cheap if need be, plus you get softwae voltage control as every one ive seen has the horizontal resistor, we just need a new version of ATiTool ;)

[InnocentCriminal]

i would have to say the sapphire

a VGA cooler can be found for cheap if need be, plus you get softwae voltage control as every one ive seen has the horizontal resistor, we just need a new version of ATiTool ;)

True, but I might as well spend the money I save from buying the Sapphire on the PowerColour as it'd cost me that much, if not more for an after-market cooler.

Still, it would be better for my GF, financially.

[FreedomEclipse]

cant go far wrong with some HiS gear....I highly recommend HiS but no shop seems keen on stocking them here in london or at least the ones based at oxford street/tottenham court road.

[InnocentCriminal]

Hmmm... good thing I'm ordering online.

[InnocentCriminal]

Bump?!

[mullered07]

HIS ftw!!! :rockout: not keen on sapphire as there cooling sux and not sure on the powercolor so id go with HIS, plus it looks sweet lol

[InnocentCriminal]

MUAHAHHAAHA!

Fair!

[lemonadesoda]

I've just got the Powercolor. It is a LEAFBLOWER. :-(

[InnocentCriminal]

Is that the same PowerColour as in the picture?

[lemonadesoda]

yes, and i'm really surprised. i got it because it looked like a "silent zalman". Boy, was i wrong.

[InnocentCriminal]

Awww crapass, that's the one I wanted because of the Zalman type cooler.

:(

[InnocentCriminal]

I was mislead with the PowerColour - it doesn't include delivery, but it is still very cheap. With delivery it comes in at £120.09 - see if I can edit my original poll.

[lemonadesoda]

My thought... get the HIS... or get the Sapphire (cheaper) and add a Zalman cooler. The Powercolor cooler is WAY TOO NOISEY. If you buy the powercolor... you will soon be buying another cooler. Thats another expense.... :-(

[Silverel]

My vote is for the HIS. 2-slot cooling ftw, better temps, better OC, nice and quiet.

Besides, what else are you going to do with that extra slot?

[InnocentCriminal]

Very good point there Silverel. I'm starting to sway towards the IceQ 3 tbh.

Hmmm..... decisions decisions.

[repsol23]

Well, I have now had the Powercolor version for just over a month and have enjoyed it completely. I have been able to overclock this card (price at newegg is 198.00 as of today, $25 less than I paid one month ago) up to 850 core 1035 memory with water cooling. I actually run it at 810/1026 for daily gaming though. As for the fan, it may be a bit loud but I honestly didn't notice due to the amount of fans that I already have for cooling. On air cooling I was still able to get an 810 clock that was stable, unfortunately I don't have the option of software voltage control but I read somewhere that this card cranks up the voltage to 1.31 from 1.2 when running in 3d mode but haven't been able to verify that. Anyhow, regardless of the card you end up with you should be very happy with the results.

[ShadowFold]

^ I run my HIS 3850 at 819mhz/956mhz with the IceQ cooler :p

[repsol23]

^ I run my HIS 3850 at 819mhz/956mhz with the IceQ cooler :p


Would that happen to be the same 3850 that is being RMA'd according to your system specs? If so, could be that the temps finally got to the card causing some problems. As for my card, I have it attached to a waterchiller so my temps rarely get above 21C under full load even after several hours of gaming or benchmarking!

[ShadowFold]

Would that happen to be the same 3850 that is being RMA'd according to your system specs? If so, could be that the temps finally got to the card causing some problems. As for my card, I have it attached to a waterchiller so my temps rarely get above 21C under full load even after several hours of gaming or benchmarking!

No I tried volt modding it.. didnt turn out well :nutkick:

[repsol23]

No I tried volt modding it.. didnt turn out well :nutkick:

I thought about doing that, but I changed my mind since I am content with what I have been able to squeeze out of my agp system. I just gotta finish installing the rest of my games (due to new mobo needing fresh install) and then I can get back to gaming with some more eye candy!!

[lemonadesoda]

The Powercolor cooler is SO NOISEY... that I've just removed the 3850 from my system. (Until I find a replacement cooler).

I am looking into:

http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a309562.html
http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a188995.html

Most reviews like the vf900 but say it is a bit underpowered for "load" performance.

So it looks like I'll be getting the GV1000.

Ach. Another spend, another wait :-(

[InnocentCriminal]

Hmmm... I'm still leaning towards the HIS. The more I look at it, the more I want it. Depends which ones releases the 8.4's first.

;)

[lemonadesoda]

OK. Just ordered the GV1000. But that's just cost me an extra EUR 50 incl. postage (GBP 40).
Will report back once installed (probably Monday or Tuesday).

[InnocentCriminal]

OK. Just ordered the GV1000. But that's just cost me an extra EUR 50 incl. postage (GBP 40).
Will report back once installed (probably Monday or Tuesday).

HAHA! Awesome-sauce! I've decided I'll go with the standard Sapphire 3850 and get the VF1000. It works out £10 cheaper for me than the HIS, plus I expect the cooler will be better as well.

Lemonadesoda, what makes you want to get the GV1000 over the VF?

VF1000
http://www.hydro-powered.co.uk/catalog/images/vf1000_c_p.jpg

GV1000
http://img.article.pchome.net/00/28/83/17/clip_image002.jpg

[intel igent]

personally id go for the copper version

:toast:

[InnocentCriminal]

See, I like both, and usually I'd get anything I can in black - however, the VF1000 just looks so good! I would have thought the GV1000 is Nickle-plated copper, but still, can't help but think the VF1000 would be better at heat desperation.

[intel igent]

im pretty shure its plated like you say but to each their own ;)

nothing wrong with a black&blue card :rockout:

are they both LED?

:toast:

[HTC]

There are a few differences:

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=283
GV1000

http://www.zalman.com/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=276
VF1000

Check the specs of them since one will be much noisier then the other (higher fan speed).

[intel igent]

good eye HTC!

it would appear that the GV is the performance model :rockout:

:toast:

[HTC]

good eye HTC!

it would appear that the GV is the performance model :rockout:

:toast:

I'm looking for a cooler such as this myself so i'm pretty much checking every post with 38x0 vga cooling on them.

Both of these seem very nice but i can't seem to fing the GV1000 here in Portugal. Would love to see a comparison between these 2 and others for ATI HD cards.

[InnocentCriminal]

are they both LED?

Yeah I believe they are.

More info on the VF1000. (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coolers/display/vga-coolers2_7.html#sect0)

[Saakki]

I would go HIS since i have 2600 XT with IceQ cooler innit..Cool & Quiet and handles overclocking very well..also looks good + its UV reactive..HDMI converter comes also with HIS packets etc so i would go HIS since it has very good cooler on it already..no changing and hassling around..but its ur GF which will buy it for u..why my GF doesnt buy me any grapic cards :laugh:

[lemonadesoda]

Lemonadesoda, what makes you want to get the GV1000 over the VF?
Actually, seeing the Zalman site, I would have preferred the copper, cheaper, QUIETER one. unfortunately on the online site I bought from... it looked like ONLY the GV was compatible with HD 3850. Thats why I went for it. Simple mistake. I will be using it in the 5v "stealth" mode.

TERRIBLE. First I bought the WRONG HD3850 (powercolor eek). Now the WRONG cooler. Oh dear, back to school Soda! LOL

[HTC]

Actually, seeing the Zalman site, I would have preferred the copper, cheaper, QUIETER one. unfortunately on the online site I bought from... it looked like ONLY the GV was compatible with HD 3850. Thats why I went for it. Simple mistake. I will be using it in the 5v "stealth" mode.

TERRIBLE. First I bought the WRONG HD3850 (powercolor eek). Now the WRONG cooler. Oh dear, back to school Soda! LOL

Wrong cooler? Why? Is it louder? Performs worse?

Please elaborate!

[InnocentCriminal]

Arrrh balls!

The VF1000 has a bloody blue LED - I wants a reds one!

>.<

Think I might get a decent chipset cooler was well.

[lemonadesoda]

Wrong cooler? Why? Is it louder? Performs worse? Please elaborate! The problem with the powercolor 38xx AGP is that there is NO FAN CONTROL. The BIOS settings are there. And you can mod them using RBE etc, and you can monitor the "supposed" fan speeds using GPU-Z. But the temp monitoring and fan registers are all "virtual". The fan is 100% all the time... like a leafblower... irrespective of what "settings" you have applied... and irrespective of what GPU-Z is telling you. The powercolor software controlled fanspeed is BROKEN by design. :banghead:


I bought the powercolor ONLY because of the better integrated cooler (compared to single slot sapphire). At first I thought it was a Zalman cooler... only when it arrived did I see it was Zerotherm... with one of those silly paddlesteamer fans. (Not efficient at moving air... just causes local turbulence at quite high noise rate). I also had no idea that fanspeed was locked to 100% until I spent HOURS trying to fix the leafblower issue.

The 100% fanspeed all the time no matter what temp the GPU is at is way too loud for a regular PC. I use my PC for work, internet, MP3, etc. and need a silent system for hour after hour of use on regular 2D desktop. I dont want to listen to music with a hairdryer on. I dont want to work while sitting next to a tumble drier.

So I need the 3rd party cooler. Not for overclocking. JUST to get the sound levels down. I'm going for the Zalman GV1000 because it is a big fat cooler with a fixed 5V fan speed (option) that is much quieter than stock. If you want to overclock then the GV is better than the VF... according to specs the fan is a bit faster. But I'm not overclocking... just trying to go silent on stocks, so a VF would have been sufficient. (quieter and cheaper).


I have only 2 tips for people thinking about AGP 3850.

1./ The AGP 3850 really is excellent. There is NO "bottleneck" on the AGP slot. See http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=57401 for benchmarks. Its about twice as fast as Gainward Bliss 7800GS+, except for OpenGL where the 7800GS+ is a bit faster. Given that second hand 7800GS+ sell on ebay for the SAME PRICE as a new 3850... then get the 3850!
2./ DONT get the powercolor model. Get any other. That way you have temperature controlled fan speed. Essential for 2D desktop use!

[HTC]

The problem with the powercolor 38xx AGP is that there is NO FAN CONTROL. The BIOS settings are there. And you can mod them using RBE etc, and you can monitor the "supposed" fan speeds using GPU-Z. But the temp monitoring and fan registers are all "virtual". The fan is 100% all the time... like a leafblower... irrespective of what "settings" you have applied.

I bought the powercolor ONLY because of the better integrated cooler (compared to single slot sapphire). At first I thought it was a Zalman cooler... only when it arrived did I see it was Zerotherm... with one of those silly paddlesteamer fans. (Not efficient at moving air... just causes local turbulence at quite high noise rate).

The 100% fanspeed all the time no matter what temp the GPU is at is way too loud for a regular PC. I use my PC for work, and need a silent system for hour after hour of use.

So I need the 3rd party cooler. Not for overclocking. JUST to get the sound levels down. The fixed 5V fan speed is what I'm aiming at, because automatic/software controlled fanspeed on the powercolor is BROKEN by design. :banghead:

Oh: you were referring to the card and not the cooler. I thought it was the other way around.

Read the specs on both of the links i provided earlier: fan control is independent of the card, i believe.

[InnocentCriminal]

ARGH! I can't freaking wait to get my card!

MUHAHAHAHAA!

AGP FTW!

UPDATE: Just got word that Morgoth is installing his WC set up! Before I got the chance t'say to test it all before installing it, he had gone. He probably knows to check for leaks before hand anway.

\m/

[lemonadesoda]

^^ Innocent, Once you get your new card, compare your (stock) performance to http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=57401. I suspect you'll be missing about 10-30% performance due to the Athlon.

[InnocentCriminal]

Will do!

I have a feeling my GF bought the card for me today, but she's not letting on. I'm hoping she'll give it to me early as the reason I'm upgrading is so that I can use my old components (in the rig I built for my old man) in a 'new' rig for her best friends as it's their birthdays.

Can't freaking wait!

I'll be benching it in my Shuttle at stock before I install it into my 'new' motherboard, and then I'll be able to compare my X1950 and the 3850.

I'm currently at 5152 in 3DMark06 with my X1950 at stock. Just 2 marks away from being in 89th place. Plan on beating that tonight.

;)

[Morgoth]

ARGH! I can't freaking wait to get my card!

MUHAHAHAHAA!

AGP FTW!

UPDATE: Just got word that Morgoth is installing his WC set up! Before I got the chance t'say to test it all before installing it, he had gone. He probably knows to check for leaks before hand anway.

\m/

back :P fucking thing is fulled with air pumping it out atm :P

[InnocentCriminal]

Unlucky chucky!

You'll sort it out soon enough, keep at it!

[Morgoth]

lol now my wc psu died XD

[InnocentCriminal]

Crapsticks!

What are you planning on doing about it?

[Morgoth]

replacing it :P anny way its back from its dead stupid molex connector shortcuted...