I'm recently looked at a sweet deal from New Egg for a Saphire 3850 w/256M for $137. I'm not a real heavy gamer, but I do want the best bang for the buck. Problem is that a 512M version appears to be almost $30 more. Does the extra performance command this price?
If you are a low res gamer you won't notice much of a difference. If you are at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 it would be fine. I always opt for the 512MB but if you are trying to go cheap and don't game much and rather save $30 just get the 256MB version. Get what you can get and be happy.
If you are a low res gamer you won't notice much of a difference. If you are at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 it would be fine. I always opt for the 512MB but if you are trying to go cheap and don't game much and rather save $30 just get the 256MB version. Get what you can get and be happy.
Hmm, I might be upgrading to a 1080p LCD. Would that be pushing it?
If you want to drive a 1080P lcd that is 1900x1080. You may want the 512MB for that one. If you want to play games you will need more horsepower than the 3850 though. Well technically no but you will have to lower graphics settings a bit.
Message edited by jay2tall on 03-25-2008 at 08:27:21 PM
Even if you weren't to upgrade your monitor I think you'll struggle with games released later in the year. Basically 256Mb has had it's day as the 'standard' GFx size.
Agreed, a 3870 is the way to go @ 1920x1080 for pretty much any game, and in some games may still not be powerful enough if you like to crank up the eye candy and detail settings.
If you can wait, wait for June when the 4850, 4870 and 4870x2 arrive. That should drop prices of the 512 meg version of the 3850 if you still want it.
If you need it now, the 256 meg version looks like a steal. That way, you can buy the next gen card when you can afford without too much guilt.
The main reason for having 512 megs over 256 is it allows for higher textures to be loaded during games. Some games benefit from high textures, others do not.
Folks, Thanks for all the great advice. I think I'm going to put the 1080p TV and 512 Meg option on hold and in the meantime enjoy the std 256Meg 3850 on my existing 720p TV.
My postponement is based on a few reasons: 1) PC gaming is currently being affected by the game console. 2) Blue Ray drives have not budged yet on price since they won over HD DVD. 3) My 42" Toshiba LCD 720p only a year old and it's not broken yet ;-). Alas, my biggest reason is that I fell in love with this carbon bike road frame, and my current ride is over 20 years old. -I'll see what develops next year when the 8800 GTX are priced under $200.
BTW- Neccessities are always NEEDS, but toys are always WANTS.
You'd really buy the plain 256MB HD3850 for $131 vs the His IceQ Turbo model for $133 AR (+$7 shipping)? Do you need a single slot cooler? Ice Q coolers are quiet and perform well, plus you get 512MB and higher clock speeds. I'd gladly mail in a rebate to get that iceQ 512MB for almost the same price.
Alas, my biggest reason is that I fell in love with this carbon bike road frame, and my current ride is over 20 years old.
What frame? (just curious) I'm riding a '92 Schwinn that's still in excellent condition, so I'm kinda in the same boat with the old bike. It's actually pretty light for it's day (7000 series aluminum frame, Shimano components, etc).
My other bike is a '96 Raleigh M60 mountain bike, it's a beast at ~27 lbs, but hasn't let me down (yet). Alivio/STX components, Shimano v-brakes (upgraded from the factory caliper brakes), full rigid. Nice to know someone else around here digs bikes. Happy riding!
