3850 CF vs 8800 GT

[compy386]

I'm helping a friend with a new build and I originally recommened 2 3850 CFs (on sale for about $300 for both) based on some reviews I read at legit reviews. However, I've seen some other reviews that seem to indicate that a 8800 GT might be a better buy ($230). Any thoughts? He's pairing the 3850s with a AM+ quad crossfire board.

 

[amd_fanboi]

3850s... if it's a quad-crossfire board, then that setup will be able to make use of the board's crossfire for some good ATI lovin ^^

 

[Maziar]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/245454-15-crossfire-faqs

 

[Noya]

It depends on the game you're playing and the motherboard they're plugged into.

I would personally just go with a hassel-free 8800gts 512mb for $270 after rebate.

 

[compy386]

Well the game he really wants to play is Fallout 3 which isn't out yet. He also has Oblivion which he got when it came out, but his card died and reverted back to a 4200ti (classic). He also plays a lot of WOW. He hasn't ordered a mobo yet. The CF mobo runs about 160 because it's a quad. I would think that an Nvidia board for future SLI would be cheaper. Although if I remember correctly the 3850's can be crossfired with future versions of ATI cards, but the 8800s can only be SLIed with other 8800s. Upgrade potential perhaps when R700s come out.

 

[aevm]

Let me give it a try, for Oblivion at 1600x1200.

8800GT (overclocked) gets 32.8 fps.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=1057&model2=706&chart=297

HD 2900XT Crossfire, same game and resolution, gets 46.8 fps.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_sli2007.html?modelx=33&model1=867&model2=821&chart=357

The HD 3850 is pretty close to the 2900XT, a bit slower (say, 35 fps instead of 40 fps).
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=7&cp=2

Based on all this I'm guessing the HD 3850 Crossfire would get around 38 fps vs the 32.8 fps of the 8800GT, when all settings and all other hardware are the same.

@OP:
How about HD 3870X2, can your friend afford one of those? It would beat the HD 3850CF, and it's easier to manage a single card than two.

 

[compy386]

I told him to jump on Microcenter's 3870 X2 for $390 but he didn't unfortunately. He can afford a one but it costs 50% more at MSRP than just the 3850 CFs ($300). I don't know if the performance gains would be worth it. I think I'm going to tell him to go with the 3850 CFs. Seems like the best deal available.

 

[Maziar]

Im pretty sure 3850's in crossfire having 1gb of ram between them will outperform a GT or a GTS at high res. Would love to see someone post some benchies though.

Wait a sec
Do u mean 2 HD 3850 with 512MB memory will give u 1GB of total memory ? if so then u are wrong mate, SLI/CROSSFIRE
doesnt double the memory

 

[aevm]

I told him to jump on Microcenter's 3870 X2 for $390 but he didn't unfortunately. He can afford a one but it costs 50% more at MSRP than just the 3850 CFs ($300). I don't know if the performance gains would be worth it. I think I'm going to tell him to go with the 3850 CFs. Seems like the best deal available.

It really depends on his plans for the future. $90 is a lot of money. For that, he'd get a few percentage points more speed and simpler software configuration. Not really worth $90 IMO.

It may be worth it, if he has a 30" monitor and a powerful PSU and he wants to keep the option of adding a second 3870X2 in the future. AFAIK two 3870X2s in Crossfire don't work yet, but ATI has promised to get the drivers ready for it in March.