8800GT 256 vs 3870; any news?

[starcraftfanatic]

Does anyone have any idea whether the 256MB GT still beats the 3870? at least they're not overpriced
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048+1068309611&Description=8800gt&name=256MB
Edit: wow, thats slow memory.

 

[justinmcg67]

With the 8800GT and the HD3870 comparing fairly close, I'd imagine the 256MB version of the 8800GT to perform more or less in the same ball park at lower resolutions, but at higher resolutions where that extra VRAM helps, it'll probably perform a little less. Still, if it comes out at that $200 price point, and it actually in stock; it should be a great purchase nonetheless.

You might even consider the 512MB version of the HD3850.

 

[starcraftfanatic]

that's where I'm confused; 512 3850 or GT 256? since no one games at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 if they dont have a midrange, I wonder which one would be a better buy.

 

[enewmen]

Get the 512meg if you play anything higher than 1280x1024.
Simple answer: get the 512meg 3870 or the 512meg 8800GT if you have a higher budget. (the 8800GT needs more attention to cooling).

256meg will work OK at 1600x1200 with no AA. THG has lots of benchmarks to see. Anything more than 30fps doesn't look choppy.

Like Justin said, consider the 512meg 3850 if you are playing games less demanding than Crysis. You can also CF the 3850 get 8800GTX type performance.

 

[aznstriker92]

I game at 1280 1024. But I would still rather get a 512mb card than a 256mb.

 

[WR2]

More benchmarks from 8800GT 256MB review @ FiringSquad

 

[starcraftfanatic]

Those numbers are interesting, very interesting; Seems the only thing that gives one the performance edge is the game coding, even at high res.

 

[enewmen]

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/images/cod41600.gif
http://firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/images/aacod41600.gif

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/images/cry1600.gif
http://firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/images/aacry1600.gif


More benchmarks from 8800GT 256MB review @ FiringSquad

Good post.

 

[aznstriker92]

Whoa thats strange. It says the 3870 gets 23 fps in high @ 1600 by 1200 but it gets only 20fps in the same resolution at medium graphics and with only 2AA and 16af.
The other cards are similar to that pattern. I didnt think that 2AA makes that big of a difference and 16af dosent really do anything.

 

[Mathos]

I can understand their logic with the low end AA settings, but it does mean that the review isn't exactly reliable. After all, how many people are going to set their settings that low? 4x is pretty well more than standard for most people, and a lot run at higher. I only wish they'd put the 512mb version of the 3850 on that review, since that is now out.

On Newegg the regular 256mb 8800gt is 209, but the 512mb version of the 3850 is at 199 or 209.

 

[pauldh]

Boy, the 256MB 8800GT sucks at Crysis in FS's benchies. The 512MB version just detroys it.

 

[Evilonigiri]

These days memory is important...512mb gets used up pretty quickly even at 1280X1024. If it was me, I'd get the 3850 512mb. The 3870 is good too, but the availability is low so...

 

[starcraftfanatic]

I remember when 256 used to be overkill, and 512 was for high end CAD.

 

[wingless]

Texture memory and bandwidth are very important to video cards and especially the G92 as we can clearly see. When you start upping the resolution and adding AA and AF you simply need to have enough memory to accommodate all the data. Those tests are proof of this fact. For the price it makes a good value card I suppose but its kinda like having big balls and a 2"....well use your imagination. My point is, the more memory the merrier.

PS: I'd like to see some SLI scores though. This card is crazy cheap.

 

[pauldh]

True, but if you play it at 1280x1024 like I do, its neck and neck with the 512mb version.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/page21.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/xfx_geforce_8800_gt_256mb_xxx_review/page20.asp

Not in crysis. The 512MB has a good lead at 12x10. And with 2x fsaa, the 512MB GT leads the 256MB GT by over 35% at 12x10. Make that 4xaa and the lead would be even larger. And those benchies are just medium quality. Wonder what high quality 12x10 would look like.