3850 vs. 3870

djkest · Post by **djkest** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:52 am

Some people have stated that it is quiet, but that is a subjective analysis, without a quiet environment and SPL meter. Sad to say the best judge of that would be yourself. You might try the stock cooling, and do something aftermarket if it doesn't do it for you.

Installing an aftermarket VGA cooler is surprisingly easy.

_MarcoM_ · Post by **_MarcoM_** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:34 am

I will give a try to the 3850@stock, i'll post my opinion

~El~Jefe~ · Post by **~El~Jefe~** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:37 am

an S1 is darn cheap and provides better cooling for passivity!

being passive has its points. be actively passive!

autoboy · Post by **autoboy** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:21 am

Subjectively my stock ATI 3870 is the loudest thing in my case and that includes a hard mounted 75GB raptor. Since I only turn it on for gaming it is not a problem. It is actually pretty quiet, but not SPCR quiet. I would estimate it at around 25-30 db. I would say it is about as loud as a stock AMD fan spinning slowly. My gaming case, a Centurian 5 is not the best for keeping things quiet though. For a casual user it will be quiet enough. Even for me it is quiet enough. If you are really interested in keeping your system quiet, like it sits in your bedroom, then the stock cooling will not be sufficient.

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 1:36 pm

I will wait bit. Next year should come 512mb GDDR4 equipped HD 3850.

zoob · Post by **zoob** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 3:38 pm

Did a little more testing. My water cooling loop is finally completely bled free of bubbles so no more ticking from my pump.

There is a quiet growl from the 3870 stock fan. This setup is sitting on a table next to me in open air so it is quite distinct and intrusive.

My 3850 stock fan is on the opposite side of my computer desk and it make a very muted ticking noise.

Both cards are about 1m from my ears.

ryboto · Post by **ryboto** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:11 pm

thejamppa wrote:I will wait bit. Next year should come 512mb GDDR4 equipped HD 3850.

yea, but so what? I mean, the 3850 is the same gpu core, just slower. So, once you move it to 512mb GDDR4 it's just an underclocked 3870. What's the point?? The price of the cards at current is as follows,

HD 3850 256mb GDDR3 = $179
HD 3850 512mb GDDR3 = $199-229
HD 3870 512mb GDDR4 = $214-270

Now, assuming the lower prices are what the two 512mb cards will settle to, where does that leave room for a GDDR4 version of the 3850, $5 below the 3870???

~El~Jefe~ · Post by **~El~Jefe~** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:31 pm

not to rank on anyone's 3850, but there really is no point of having it IF you have 250 dollars plus shipping to spend.

if you have 160 to spend, sure thing, its sick for the cash.

3870 idles within 2-4 watts of a 3850 so really, it shouldnt be based upon that concern. both are the least idling ever of any powerful card.