ATI HD3870 or Nvidia 8800GT or Nvidia 9600GT

[p_o_s_pc]

I am going to be getting a new video card soon and don't tell me to wait for the 48xx or the new Nvidia becaue they are going to be out of my price range. I mostly game and i am a benchmark freak(or junky) I play games like FEAR,Cryis,NFS UG,NFS UG2,NFS PS,TDU and anything else that looks fun that i come across.
So with the hardware in my specs what card would be better (no fanboy answer)

ATI 3870 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050

Nvidia 8800GT 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150280

Nvidia 9600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127355

so out of the 3 what one would be best. I will be overclocking them to there max also.

[calvary1980]

you should purchase a new Display first. 17"

- Christine

[Mussels]

8800GT = more power efficient
3870 = audio over HDMI, slightly better openGL performance
9600GT = less powerful than 8800GT, but cheaper. work really well in SLI.

[p_o_s_pc]

you should purchase a new Display first. 17"

- Christine

A bigger screen isn't going to do any good with out a video card :p

[jbunch07]

out of those three the best is the 8800gt, then the 3870 and not to far behind is the 9600gt

[p_o_s_pc]

8800GT = more power efficient
3870 = audio over HDMI, slightly better openGL performance
9600GT = less powerful than 8800GT, but cheaper. work really well in SLI.

well i won't be running SLI any time soon so i am back down to if i want to what side i want to go with ATI or stay with Nvidia

[calvary1980]

yes but playing at 1280x1024 you wont even come close to reaching the potential of those cards. you would be better off financially with a 8800GT 256 or 8800GS 384.

- Christine

[Cold Storm]

8800GT = more power efficient
3870 = audio over HDMI, slightly better openGL performance
9600GT = less powerful than 8800GT, but cheaper. work really well in SLI.

I second that one. After owning a 3870 and a 8800gt, I have to say I liked the 8800gt a little better. The 3870 was good out of the box, but I just have better luck with my 8800gt..

And your right, first you need a video card, then the monitor comes next! IMO

[suraswami]

hmm I thought 9600gt is a rebadged 8800gt with more power efficient core?

[jbunch07]

yes but playing at 1280x1024 you wont even come close to reaching the potential of those cards. you would be better off financially with a 8800GT 256 or 8800GS 384.

- Christine

i agree with that.
at the res you will be playing at. those would be better for you.

[calvary1980]

I know I always recommend those 2 cards to people with 1280x1024 resolution but I only recommend it because there systems are not exactly top performers, his system is aging he would be better off financially and he could save up for an entirely new build down the road rather than spend $300 for a quality display.

- Christine

[Castiel]

I am going to be getting a new video card soon and don't tell me to wait for the 48xx or the new Nvidia becaue they are going to be out of my price range. I mostly game and i am a benchmark freak(or junky) I play games like FEAR,Cryis,NFS UG,NFS UG2,NFS PS,TDU and anything else that looks fun that i come across.
So with the hardware in my specs what card would be better (no fanboy answer)

ATI 3870 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050

Nvidia 8800GT 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150280

Nvidia 9600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127355

so out of the 3 what one would be best. I will be overclocking them to there max also.

8800GT!

[p_o_s_pc]

yeah cold sprem is right (sorry CS) having a big screen isn't going to do me any good not like i am going to be able to game using onboard.lol

[Mussels]

i'll disagree with calvary: i run at 1360x768 (or 1024x768 for non widescreen) and got a performance drop that was quite noticeable going from an 8800GTX 768MB to a 512MB 8800GT.

Modern games really do chew through graphics memory, so a 512MB card is a must even at low resolutions

[calvary1980]

at 1280x1024 resolution, the 8800GT 512 wins by a maximum of 5-10 frames with an overclock the 8800GT 256 will catch up. can find a good deal here (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=62554) :)

- Christine

[Cold Storm]

I know I always recommend those 2 cards to people with 1280x1024 resolution but I only recommend it because there systems are not exactly top performers, his system is aging he would be better off financially and he could save up for an entirely new build down the road rather than spend $300 for a quality display.

- Christine

In that thought you are right. But, new builds some time start by buying parts for your system you have now and adding when you get the money for them. With the new video cards coming out, it would be wise for a lot of people who are plaining to grab a new video card to think about it now...

Thats my thought on the matter.

[calvary1980]

I have never met someone who upgrades part by part more frequently than changing there underwear than *cough* Danish no wonder he has so many problems. :p

upgrading is only going to become more difficult on systems like his when socket LGA1xxx and AM3 launches.

- Christine

[suraswami]

Hey P_O_S you had lots of problems with your PSUs before. So check if the PSU can give enough juice to those cards of your choice.

I don't know how good Asus cards are but here is a suggestion.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&Subcategory=48&Description=&Type=&N=2010380048&srchInDesc=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&Manufactory=1315&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A32704&PropertyCodeValue=679%3A37365

People also recommended me this because of power requirements

EVGA 8800GS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332

[p_o_s_pc]

I am not going to be building a new rig for some time.i just got a new cpu,PSU,ram and soon video card. so it is mostly a new rig lol

[Cold Storm]

I have never met someone who upgrades part by part more frequently than changing there underwear than *cough* Danish no wonder he has so many problems. :p

upgrading is only going to become more difficult on systems like his when socket LGA1xxx and AM3 launches.

- Christine

I'm with you 100%, but we also have ones like TRT, and Fits that do the same! :roll:

Yeah, if your looking into Future proofing, its going to be a hard one because our systems now may be the Dinosaurs of the new stuff...

But, if your the young guns who are trying to make by, then its not so bad to upgrade the stuff... IMO

[p_o_s_pc]

JR is running a 3870 with a 500w psu so i should be fine

btw keep in mind im 15 with no job so kinda don't have alot of money

[calvary1980]

remember socket 939? exactly no one does lol. AM2 made it obsolete over night. if your going to go with my suggestion, the 8800GT 256 would be my first choice it will give you 512 results at that resolution without having to spend more money on something you don't need you could spend the rest on a quality mouse or gaming surface. you will definitely be happy :)

- Christine

[p_o_s_pc]

i do see a bigger LCD coming before much longer so i think i would spend the extra money on the 512 so when i go bigger i won't take a big hit. But thanks for trying to save me money.

[JrRacinFan]

JR is running a 3870 with a 500w psu so i should be fine

btw keep in mind im 15 with no job so kinda don't have alot of money

Yes but please keep in mind. Seasonic built and 80+ efficiency. :) You already know my thought on the whole matter so I won't go into more detail.

[p_o_s_pc]

@JR yeah i know your PSU is better but i still don't think i will have a problem with it.I have seen people running 8800GTX on the same PSU that i have (i think it is stupid to do that) and AMD recommends 450w or greater for the 3870 so i think i am good.

[calvary1980]

well i'm sorry I couldn't change your mind, here (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=62626) is a really good deal on a 3870.

- Christine

[p_o_s_pc]

well i'm sorry I couldn't change your mind, here (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=62626) is a really good deal on a 3870.

- Christine

Thanks. There has been many people that have tried to change my mind and most have failed. :toast: I think that card and maybe a new cooler with the money i would save
looks like i am going to get a 3870 when i buy a new card

[flashstar]

Wait 2 weeks for the 4850. It's the same speed as a 3870x2 but without the driver issues.

[calvary1980]

he can't afford it. they will be well over $200.

- Christine

[generalhoultz]

3870 is fine with me plays my media much better than my 7950gtx 512mb ever did
and it plays games fine
crysis high
cod4 maxed

the difference between the 3870 and 8800gt is highly exaggerated
ie the difference is soo small
9600gt is little slower than the 3870
8800gt is 3-8% faster at max

so no matter what you get youl have a great card -=)

8800gts or the 3870x2 i say
grab an x2 or 2 38**

[Wile E]

You're a bench junky pos, get the 8800GT. Don't mess around. When both the 3870 and GT are oc'ed, the GT still pulls ahead. Just look at the scores in the 06 and Vantage threads.

I play CoD4 at 1920x1200 fully maxed out. It never goes below 48fps with FRAPS running. Oced to 700/1000 linked shaders. That's with stock volts and cooler. With better cooling (h2o, in my case) and the voltmods, I game at 800/1100 linked shaders, bench at 900-950/1100 linked.

It would take well over a Ghz from the 3870 to even come close.

[HTC]

Regardless of which one you choose, WAIT for the new gen of cards to be released so that the prices drop first, and then make your purchase.

Dunno if anyone suggested this (didn't read the whole thread).

[jbunch07]

Regardless of which one you choose, WAIT for the new gen of cards to be released so that the prices drop first, and then make your purchase.

Dunno if anyone suggested this (didn't read the whole thread).

thats not a bad idea.
i think he said he doesn't want to wait that long though.

[HTC]

thats not a bad idea.
i think he said he doesn't want to wait that long though.

Isn't it 13 days away (for ATI) and less for nVidia? Is he in that much of a hurry to waste some cash?

[jbunch07]

Isn't it 13 days away (for ATI) and less for nVidia? Is he in that much of a hurry to waste some cash?

i dont know? im not him? lol
but i think he should wait until they come out. then save some money. but i believe your right.

[Forgotten_Realms]

I say go with the 8800GT, of course if I were here 14 days already I would be listing a 640mb 8800GTS for a very good price New retail...PM me if interested I do have ebay and good rep in my other forums...I look at TPU all the time just now decided to join the forum...Shouldve joined long ago....

[wolf]

9600GT for the value imo

[Forgotten_Realms]

Just checking to see if my SIG comes up this time....Ok but its awful small...LOL sorry not trying to hi jack...

[p_o_s_pc]

You're a bench junky pos, get the 8800GT. Don't mess around. When both the 3870 and GT are oc'ed, the GT still pulls ahead. Just look at the scores in the 06 and Vantage threads.

I play CoD4 at 1920x1200 fully maxed out. It never goes below 48fps with FRAPS running. Oced to 700/1000 linked shaders. That's with stock volts and cooler. With better cooling (h2o, in my case) and the voltmods, I game at 800/1100 linked shaders, bench at 900-950/1100 linked.

It would take well over a Ghz from the 3870 to even come close.

I think that i am going to buy a 8800GT I want the highest scores that i can get for the money.

[p_o_s_pc]

Isn't it 13 days away (for ATI) and less for nVidia? Is he in that much of a hurry to waste some cash?

I can wait till the new cards come out. I will put up with the onboard till then. If anything else the price of the cards that are out now will be down.

[JrRacinFan]

I can wait till the new cards come out. I will put up with the onboard till then. If anything else the price of the cards that are out now will be down.

At least you would hope so, but I doubt they will get discounted much more. 8800GT or HD3870, doesn't truly matter. They are both nice cards. Just please if you do get an 8800GT, please do me a favor and get the 512MB flavor.


PS: Those 9600GSO's look pretty nice too. :)

[HTC]

I can wait till the new cards come out. I will put up with the onboard till then. If anything else the price of the cards that are out now will be down.

Exactly my point.

[p_o_s_pc]

At least you would hope so, but I doubt they will get discounted much more. 8800GT or HD3870, doesn't truly matter. They are both nice cards. Just please if you do get an 8800GT, please do me a favor and get the 512MB flavor.


PS: Those 9600GSO's look pretty nice too. :)

They are in my price range right now but i will be happy even if it is a few $ off the price. It still is saving money. Don't worry JR the 256mb hasn't even crossed my mind I am getting a 512mb or bigger if i get a 8800GT

[From_Nowhere]

The Radeon 3870 will be best if you do multimedia etc. but for gaming (as of now) the price/performance of an 8800GT is hard to beat. The 9600GT isn't a bad choice either, but with the 8800GT so close in price, it's hard to recommend.

But if you wait for the next generation of graphics cards, the 8800GTS (G92) could possibly drop to the price of what the 8800GT is now.

[p_o_s_pc]

I hope the 8800GTS (g92) will drop in price that much but i don't think it will