9600GT vs. HD3870: Which to get?

[Evilonigiri]

In many reviews, the 9600GT beats the HD3870 in most tests, so naturally the 9600GT is the better deal. With the price being so close, is there any reason to go with the HD3870?

 

[randomizer]

Because the HD3870 also beats the 9600GT in reviews.

 

[Evilonigiri]

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_9600_gt_performance/page5.asp

I only see 2 games that the HD3870 significantly wins.

 

[itheral]

Also the 3870 has a better cooling solution, and better HD-playback

 

[Evilonigiri]

Also the 3870 has a better cooling solution, and better HD-playback

Dunno about the better HD-playback but according to [H], the 9600GT runs cooler than the HD3870 and the 8800GT thanks to the new bigger fan: http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQ2Niw2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

The 9600GT also takes up less power, a tad less than the HD3850.

Can you show me a link containing info on the 3870 having better HD-playback?

 

[gomerpile]

Because the HD3870 also beats the 9600GT in reviews.

and my farts beat them all

 

[VoidPhantom]

http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/21/nvidia_geforce_9600_gt/page17.html

And I say whichever is cheaper get it.
AMD DID drop the costs of its 38xx series.

 

[weskurtz81]

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_9600_gt_performance/page5.asp

I only see 2 games that the HD3870 significantly wins.

Tomshardware, this site, just did a review on the 3870 and the 9600GT. To sum it up, the 3870 wins the majority of benchmarks without AA. The 9600GT win's a few more, but by a narrow margin, when AA is enabled.

Long story short, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between the two, go with what's less expensive.

 

[IndigoMoss]

Also, the 38xx series does handle HDTV and video type work a lot better from what I've seen, especially dealing with overscan issues and scaling resolutions.

 

[teh_boxzor]

and the 3870 has an audio controller on the card and suppprts VIVO. basic 9600gt lacks certain features, whereas the other one is really good for future proofing thanks to the displayport.

 

[night_wolf_in]

Tomshardware, this site, just did a review on the 3870 and the 9600GT. To sum it up, the 3870 wins the majority of benchmarks without AA. The 9600GT win's a few more, but by a narrow margin, when AA is enabled.

Long story short, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between the two, go with what's less expensive.

true, toms review of 9600GT shows that it is behind the 3875 without filters. n beats, or lose with small margin with AA.

n with the prices cut of 3870. it is the perfect thing to get. specially if u wanna go crossfire.

 

[randomizer]

Anandtech also did a review showing the HD3870 on top.

 

[roadrunner197069]

They are close, and we all know that the ATI produces better images then NVIDIA period. Nvidias drivers tweak a few extra fake frames for numbers. BIG DEAL. Seeing is believing.

 

[randomizer]

And I prefer to see a higher framerate over negligible IQ differences.

 

[antas]

Go for both Nah, joking. Get any that's avaialable on the market whichever cheaper That's it. True that AA filtering enabled the 9600GT has a slightly advantage, but without AA enabled it's otherwise. With this situation all come down to the price

 

[randomizer]

And whether or not AA is important to you.

 

[blacksci]

Lets get the long and short of it, what do you want to use you card for? Video playback, editing, gaming? Knowing these things would go a long ways to helping you figure out whats best for you.

 

[bluekoala]

And I prefer to see a higher framerate over negligible IQ differences.

I like my opinion better:
I rather see better IQ over a few negligible frame rates

 

[randomizer]

I like my opinion better:
I rather see better IQ over a few negligible frame rates

I expect you to like your opinion better.

 

[blacksci]

Lol, you would be suprised what those "few negligible frame rates" will do for a card when your pushin a game that tries to wreck havoc on your video card. Id also like to know how nvidia tweaks the card for a few extra frames, unless your talking benchmarks, thats just not possible.

 

[mikekazik1]

Why don't you wait a little while so that the prices fall. That way, you get a card with the latest drives, detailed reviews, and the lowest price. Is there more to say?

 

[buzznut]

Head on over to Anandtech. They have matchups up many of the newest games-http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3235

That may influence your decision.

 

[blacksci]

Lol, for his price range, and what hes looking at there is no reason to wait, if you took everyones advice and waited, ie, new cards, new cpus, you would never build a computer, i hate it when people say wait, and what is he supposed to wait for? only new cards coming out are high end, since the 9600 has already came out.

 

[Rusmurf]

Buy whichever is cheaper, super easy. If price is equal, I'd probably get the ATI, because A comes before N in the alphabet.

 

[SpinachEater]

Give me your address, I will donate the extra $40 and you can get the 8800GT.

What is $40? A tank of gas....at max, an extra day of work...$40 is easy to justify. Throw in the extra cash and get a better card than both of them. Get the EVGA, use the step up program when the 9800GT comes out and you got yourself a nice setup. Unless you are like 12 and have to do chores at home and it will take 2 mnths to collect $40.

On a serious note...do you want to bump up to xfire/SLI? What resolutions do you game at? What titles do you play? That all factors in to choosing 9600 vs 3870 since they are pretty close to the same thing.