HD3870 from Sapphire

[zaqwsx]

Is this card worth it because it would be if it had a red pcb. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732

[happita]

It's somewhat worth it, but since 3870 prices have fallen, I don't think this justifies an extra $85 just for a slightly better cooler and clocks.
Your better off getting this instead and getting an aftermarket cooler thats much better...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102719

edit: Or better yet, just get an aftermarket cooler for your PowerColor 3870 and you'll be smooth sailing.

[DanishDevil]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218

This is the 3870 to get. No need to buy an aftermarket cooler, as this one highly outperforms the stock cooler on other 3870s as it is. The main reason somebody would buy the Sapphire with Vapor-X technology would be to run a 3870 at decent temperatures in a single-slot design. Unless you need a single slot, cool-running, overclockable 3870, grab the HIS. The IceQ3 cooler is also highly UV reactive (blue) :)

[das müffin mann]

or if you really want something awesome you could get a 3870x2, but seriously the one danish is talking about is the one i would go for

[jbunch07]

or if you really want something awesome you could get a 3870x2, but seriously the one danish is talking about is the one i would go for

agree!

[zaqwsx]

Well I returned my powercolor for my money back (254.99) since mine was bad and they didn't have any in stock. Also I wanted to rma it with powercolor but they don't even have their own product so im not buying powercolor any more. I was thinking about getting the DIAMOND Viper, an HDMI cord, and a 160 sata 3.0 hd, all for cheaper then the sapphire card.

Edit: When is the newer ati cards comming out?

[das müffin mann]

the 4000 sereis? they haven't officially announced it yet

[zaqwsx]

Should I wait or should I got the HD3870.

[UrbanShark]

For a Dual GPU card I think the price is very good as I own 1 myself. With my system I can run crysis at 1280x1024 2xAA on High with no sweat. Can run higher res with no problems, but I prefer the res.

[das müffin mann]

i would get the 3870 because its going to be a bit of time yet before the 4000 series hits retailers

[zaqwsx]

Ok well witch one is beter HIS or Dimond because I was a nvidia guy so I don't know the companies to well but I do know that sapphire is a good brand.

[DanishDevil]

I hate the 3870X2. I even got it for $380 +tax locally, and I'm returning it and using the HIS 3870. I messed with CAT 8.1's, 8.2's, XP, and Vista. The damn card can't even run Gears of War on lowest settings at 1680x1050 without dropping below 20FPS half the time. Even with improvement from updated drivers (and this might not happen as 8.2 BLOWS with the X2 versus 8.1), I don't think spending that much on a card with a HUGE and HOT cooler is worth it when you can get a single GPU with a cooler you won't have to replace for $200.

IMO: For crossfire, right now, the HIS 3870 is an amazing deal - even better than a 3870X2 for $380.

Edit:

Ok well witch one is beter HIS or Dimond because I was a nvidia guy so I don't know the companies to well but I do know that sapphire is a good brand.

To answer your question, HIS is known to put better coolers on their cards (the HIS IceQ3 cooler will keep the card around 60C load while both the ATi reference cooler and the "improved" Diamond/Visiontek cooler hover in the 90's), and is pretty highly-regarded. I would say HIS > Sapphire > Diamond.

[das müffin mann]

i've never had any problems with HIS in the past

[zaqwsx]

:) Lol guys the HD3870 X2 is out of the question, I dont have that kind of money right know any way this is what im looking at right know so please tell me which is the better deal?

1st Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

2nd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

3rd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732
Comes with 3dmark06, Power DVD, DVD suite

Edit: The reason for the new hard drive is that my seagate 80gb sata1.5 is so slow. I have a 160gb hd from seagate and when i had my windows installed on that it was insanley fast and now that i have the 80gb for the operating system it is very slow. I dedicate one hd to the operating system and one to game. Im also doing a dual boot when I get Vista from microsoft for free!

[das müffin mann]

i personally would go for the second pick

[zaqwsx]

I chose diamond because of the better bundle well the extra cord thingy plus the red pcb since my whole system is red fans.

Edit: HDTV Cable.

[das müffin mann]

in that case the first bundle looks good, there shouldn't be much if any difference between the two cards

[erocker]

Get a Sapphire. I don't know, I've heard of them for quite a while now, and they are a good company. Personally I would never buy a Diamond, Visiontek, GeCube, or any of that other stuff.

[zaqwsx]

Well I think im ruling the sapphire i have up there out since im going to do Water cooling and am going to cool my graphic card. But the normal HD3870 from sapphire is not on newegg anymore. For some weird reason there are like no HD3870 anymore, like very little

[das müffin mann]

if you can find a sapphire i would go for that, sapphire seems to be sold out at quite a few different places so its just not the egg, but i've never had any problems with any diamond products

[zaqwsx]

Well I'll see if anything changes in a few days because I just sent my PowerColor back so it will be a few days till I can order the stuff.

[DanishDevil]

Keep in mind, if you're planning on putting on an aftermarket cooler, the HIS is the way to go, as you won't need to. An aftermarket cooler is a LOT more expensive than a silly cable ;)

The Diamond has a cooler that doesn't contact one of the memory chips. It's also kinda loud at times. The HIS doesn't have either of those problems, and it runs like 30C cooler. Sapphire NEEDS another cooler, because the single-slot one won't do the job if you're overclocking, and from you buying a Phenom BE, I have a feeling you're an overclocker. I've got an X2 5000+ BE myself :)

[BrooksyX]

It's somewhat worth it, but since 3870 prices have fallen, I don't think this justifies an extra $85 just for a slightly better cooler and clocks.
Your better off getting this instead and getting an aftermarket cooler thats much better...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102719

edit: Or better yet, just get an aftermarket cooler for your PowerColor 3870 and you'll be smooth sailing.

Thats the one I plan on getting in the next week or two. Gonna put my accelero s2 on it. I would get the HIS one but I already have the accelero s2 so I might as well save my money.

[jbunch07]

Get a Sapphire. I don't know, I've heard of them for quite a while now, and they are a good company. Personally I would never buy a Diamond, Visiontek, GeCube, or any of that other stuff.

why not?
just curious?

[DanishDevil]

HIS HIS HIS!

http://img.techpowerup.org/080226/imageview.php.jpg

Ooooooooooooooh preeeeeeeeeettttttttyyyyy!

[jbunch07]

HIS HIS HIS!

http://img.techpowerup.org/080226/imageview.php.jpg

Ooooooooooooooh preeeeeeeeeettttttttyyyyy!

that is possibly the prettiest thing ive seen all day! :twitch: :D

[DanishDevil]

Wait 'til you see it in my case :) I'll be doing a log of the new install.

[jbunch07]

Wait 'til you see it in my case :) I'll be doing a log of the new install.

sounds good keep me posted...
ill be doing one shortly when i start my new spider build :D

[DanishDevil]

Will do. I'll be putting everything in a case log. Keep an eye out for it!

[zaqwsx]

Well I just noticed that the price of the Saphire had droped and I have seen that pic. Only problem is that I have an all red system which i will post up once i get the camera fixed. Also I have a spider system just not 4 cards but im planing to save up and buy 4 cards when the new ones come out. Im only getting the HD3870 to hold me for a while!

[DanishDevil]

If you really must have a red card, from Newegg, go with the Diamond and grab an aftermarket cooler for it.

[zaqwsx]

If only they had more of a selection.

[zaqwsx]

Im thinking right know between the HIS bundle or the sapphire

[DanishDevil]

Allright, between the HIS and the Sapphire, this is what you're looking at:

Common between the two

The card itself
Blue PCB
$6.33 Shipping

HIS

Near-aftermarket performance cooler with awesome UV Blue glow
DVI > HDMI
DVI > VGA
SVIDEO > Composite Video
Cool HIS Lighted Screwdriver
Good change you can flash the Turbo BIOS for higher clock speeds and improved fan control


Sapphire

Single-slot cooler (runs WAY hotter than the HIS)
Unsure what adapters is comes with, as none are pictured
Save $15 vs. the HIS


If you want a good quality card that IMPROVES on the reference cooler design, go with the HIS. You won't have to spend extra money on an aftermarket cooler as opposed to the Sapphire. Say you go with the Sapphire and get an aftermarket cooler. You will get 5C better temps, and be out $15 if you get a GREAT deal on the cooler.

Your other option is to wait until Friday so I can get some better pictures of the card and the bundle up here. I'll have it running probably mid or late-week next week.

[calvary1980]

off topic but, this is the prettiest :P Zotac 8800GT Amp Edition http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5303/zotachz4.jpg

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

off topic but, this is the prettiest :P Zotac 8800GT Amp Edition http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5303/zotachz4.jpg

- Christine

I like the orange color, but it's just an orange LED fan. If you think that's pretty, you should be impressed with what I'm planning on with my case. Keep an eye out for my project log this weekend.

[calvary1980]

Zotac also changed to an Orange PCB to match the Dragon Theme. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=48773 I like odd colors like Green LED, Blue and Red are getting old.

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

That actually is pretty cool. Reminds me of those old Sapphire enthusiast boards with that sexy white pcb...aaaaaaa...drooling...

IMO green is being overused, especially in conjunction with watercooling. I'm going all orange and a bit of blue for my rig. DEFINITELY going to be a little different of a color scheme than others I've seen.

Anyway, back on topic. Sorry zaqwsx. calvary, if you want to talk pretty hardware, let's make our own topic :)

[calvary1980]

I don't know how you can endorse HIS, the 3850 IceQ3 with painted aluminum passed off as forged copper, isn't the 3870 the same? http://techreport.com/r.x/midrange-gfx-0208/his-3870-card.jpg

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

Doesn't change the fact that it drops the reference design's temps by almost 30C. Neweggers report temps in the low 60s when I got high 90s. If aluminum can do that, and exhaust heat out of the case, I'll bite. And they never "passed it off" as forged copper. Yes, they painted it like copper, but it's not like they advertised a copper cooler. If they did, please, let me know, as that would bug me too.

And yeah, I think that is the same card. It's kinda hard to tell the HIS IceQ3 cards apart, as they don't differ in heatsink art.

[calvary1980]

I know the temps are fine and I was being sarcastic about the forged copper thing, it just bugs me more than it should :(

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

Yeah. If I bought it thinking it was copper, it would make me mad. But honestly, seeing that they can get that great of temps with a single heatpipe and a lighter aluminum cooler on an already large card, it just makes me feel better about moving my computer.

And now that I look at that review, I think the exact card they reviewed there is at the Turbo speeds, which a few TPUers on here claim to have flashed their non-turbos to and more.

But honestly, wouldn't you be turned off if you saw that the HIS was the only 3870 using an aluminum cooler? I would be. Unless they advertised their cooler like CRAZY. In a way, you can see why they would make it look like copper.

HIS HD IceQ3 Turbo 3870 — The fastest Radeon in our gaming tests is also among the quietest, which is a pleasant surprise. Of course, there's a catch. Two of them, in fact. First is the card's $280 street price, which makes it more expensive than a number of 8800 GTs that offer better performance. Even worse is HIS's paltry single-year warranty. We'll pass.

These were TechReport's conclusions on the Turbo version. You can flash to this with the $200 card. Also, honestly, how long are you going to keep a graphics card? I don't think I've had one longer than 6 months. Hell, I've been through 3 in the last month!

[calvary1980]

it would. nvidia has been guilty of this I couldn't remember which card or cooler so I googled and got the 6800. GeCube 3850 another one atleast they used copper pipes http://www.digital-daily.com/video/gecube_hd3850_new_attire

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

That looks like a short version of my old Visiontek 3870 cooler, which IMO was too light to be all copper...

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=51253&highlight=diamond+3870

[3870x2]

HIS is good, my sapphire isnt a mega overclocker, but it is definately stable.

[intel igent]

to the O/P:

you said you wanted to W/C the card right? so no need for any kind of cooling other than stock since youd be putting a W/B on it. money saved.

sapphire makes about 60% IIRC (maybe more) of ATI cards,

that being said to me the choice is simpe

sapphire FTW!

[DanishDevil]

Good point. Missed that.

For a watercooled 3870, your best bet until all of the e-tailers feel like responding to AMD's price drop on these cards is to look locally for a 3870 with red PCB from a company mentioned positively here.

Then again, the chances of the HIS card hitting Turbo speeds are pretty good. If you want red PCB for $200 though, either wait or look locally.

[zaqwsx]

Im cant do local because my money is in paypal and on top of that NY taxes are high. Man picking the right card is a pain in the rear.

Edit: @ DanishDevil this is the bundle for the Sapphire card http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-102-732-08.jpg&Image=14-102-732-03.jpg%2c14-102-732-04.jpg%2c14-102-732-05.jpg%2c14-102-732-06.jpg%2c14-102-732-07.jpg%2c14-102-732-08.jpg%2c14-102-732-09.jpg%2c14-102-732-10.jpg%2c14-102-732-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Depa=1&Description=SAPPHIRE+Radeon+HD+3870+100225TXSR+Vid eo+Card

[DanishDevil]

OH you mean THAT Sapphire card? That one's like $75 more! And if you think the $200 Sapphire is going to have that HDMI cable in the box too, I think you're mistaken. If that's not your thinking, why are you gonna pay $75 for an HDMI Cable? Go here (http://www.pcmicrostore.com/CBC.aspx?q=c:100074) for cheap cables. Keep an eye out on HotDealsClub (hotdealsclub.com) for specials from here as well.

If you want a red card from Newegg, like I said, get the GeCube. You're going to replace the cooler anyway.

[zaqwsx]

1st Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

2nd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

3rd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732
Comes with 3dmark06, Power DVD, DVD suite

Thats the picks and that sapphire went down $10 from yesturday!

[DanishDevil]

I assume you tried to copy and paste from above...the links don't copy properly that way.


1st Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

2nd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161218
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189053

3rd Pick:
1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732
Comes with 3dmark06, Power DVD, DVD suite

Basically, this, correct?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380048%201305520549%20106792462%201067933729&bop=And&CompareItemList=N82E16814102732%2CN82E16814103050% 2CN82E16814161218

Out of those three cards, if you want red PCB, get the Diamond. If you don't mind the blue PCB, get the HIS. It will probably OC better. The Sapphire is more expensive because of the cooler, and you're going water anyway.

[zaqwsx]

Ya I fixed the links in the second post the ones you just quoted, they should work.

[DanishDevil]

So...what are you thinking? Door number one, two, or three?

[zaqwsx]

Seconed pic looks good

[DanishDevil]

The HIS? Same one I ordered. If you want pretty flashy pics, let me know, and wait til Friday :)

[zaqwsx]

Well I just saw the PowerColor HD3870 PCS on newegg for 205 good thing I got lucky and got a refund for that card for 254 when I bought it at the time and luckly i dont have to pay a restocking fee! Any way I was wondering about that volt mod you can do to some cards what so good about that because I remember when I had my Powercolor 3870 it had the resister to were you couldent volt mod it. So whats so good about it and here is the PowerColor hd3870.

Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131077

[ShadowFold]

My HIS IceQ3 doesnt light up :wtf:

[zaqwsx]

Did you use a black light or cold catode light because I think it needs to be a black light!

[zaqwsx]

Do you guys think I should try PowerColor again? Also it has the resister to were it cant have voltage controles.

[DanishDevil]

Keep in mind, the resistor doesn't keep you from doing a voltmod/pencilmod. It just means that you can't control it through software. I assume W1zz is working on an addon to ATiTool to boost the core voltage for better overclocking. That way, all you do if the card fails is boot in safe mode and disable the autostartup of ATiTool and you're back to stock!

I would go with the HIS unless you want red PCB. If you want red PCB, get the Diamond.

Stay away from Apollo and PowerColor, as they use non-reference PCB designs, and they haven't seemed to improve on the original design.

The HIS comes with a MUCH better cooler than the Diamond. My GPU idles at 40C! My old Visiontek, which used an improved cooler over Diamond's idled in the 60s and loaded in the high 90s! Haven't tested the load on the HIS yet, though. It also comes with a nifty screwdriver tool with a built in level, white LED light, and clip. I've been using it to piece away at my new case :) Many of the HIS cards from newegg both allow software voltage control and should have the ability to flash to their "IceQ3 Turbo" bios with clocks of 850/2380 versus the stock 775/2340.

[Bytor]

I have a pair of Visiontek's and they have a red PCB...

http://i26.tinypic.com/332z4n6.jpg

[DanishDevil]

They look good man! The Visionteks come with a non-reference cooler that fails to contact the one diagonal memory chip. Of course, if you're getting an aftermarket cooler, that doesn't really matter! But the HIS doesn't need an aftermarket cooler :D For that reason, and for the reason that newegg doesn't have a Visiontek that competes with the prices of the others, I don't recommend it.

Here's a link to the thread about the cooler (also found on some of the earlier Diamonds):
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?p=639174

[Bytor]

Not sure about the cooler, since I took it off before using it. But these cards rock....

Have them running at 857/1377 with no problems... And they are so SEXY!!!

[zaqwsx]

Wow such a hard dessision. Also the powercolors clocks are 800Mhz ans 1170Mhz mem but what im thinking about right knoe is that HIS only problem is it dosn't come with the S-video to HDTV converter

[DanishDevil]

You are correct on that one. HIS comes with a DVI > HDMI, DVI > VGA, and S-VIDEO > COMPOSITE VIDEO.

If you need the HDTV Converter, go with one that does. Not the Powercolor though. You can OC a 3870 to 800 core almost guaranteed and flash it with an edited BIOS so it'll always run at those speeds.

[zaqwsx]

You think I can buy one of tpu from somone that dosn't use it? and would it work on the card. Actuly before I do that which is beter HDMI or the HDTV Converter?

[calvary1980]

HDMI over HDTV Comp you connect TV - HDMI to DVI Adapter - Video Card. some vendors include them for both nVidia and ATI but most of the time they don't they are $10-20 cables so it can be a problem if you plan on hooking your Computer up to your TV on the other hand if you were serious about that you would of built a HTPC.

- Christine

[DanishDevil]

HDMI includes both video and audio. The bottom line is: What kind of displays do you want to connect your computer to?

If you're connecting to a CRT or LCD monitor, you don't need either. If you are connecting to an HDTV, the questions is whether it has an HDMI input or not. If it does, the HDMI Adapter is fine. If it doesn't, Component Video (which the HIS does not have an adapter for) is better than S-Video.

[zaqwsx]

Ok well If I get the HIS how do I flash the card and should I do it or will I be taking a risk?

[DanishDevil]

TPU's Guide to BIOS Flashing:

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles/overclocking/vidcard/34

Yes, it is a risk, but it's probably a 2% chance you'll screw your card up if you know what you're doing. I would try flashing an older card with it's own BIOS first, so you've at least flashed a card before you take a crack at the 3870. Also, be sure to OC the card to the Turbo BIOS's speeds before you flash it to make sure the card will run at those speeds.

[zaqwsx]

This is what a finaly decided on! I also just ordered it because I got my refund from the powercolor card.

HD: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732
Gift with gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16800995043

Edit: Forgot to add that the card comes with an HDMI cable, 3dmark 2006, Power-DVD, DVD Suite, plus the vapor chamber cooling all for $230 + free $40.00 amd shirt.

Edit again: It also comes with Valve Black Box:)!!!

[johnarmstrong1981]

My Sapphire 3870 came with DVI HDMI Composite and a driver CD the main thing that i noticed is that it now has external heatpipes and a clear not red cover!!

[erocker]

This is what a finaly decided on! I also just ordered it because I got my refund from the powercolor card.

HD: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148230
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102732
Gift with gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16800995043

Edit: Forgot to add that the card comes with an HDMI cable, 3dmark 2006, Power-DVD, DVD Suite, plus the vapor chamber cooling all for $230 + free $40.00 amd shirt.

Edit again: It also comes with Valve Black Box:)!!!

You made the best choice I could think of!:toast: That card you got is the same thing as the Atomic edition. And it's on sale right now ooohh!

[zaqwsx]

Well i was looking at both Atomics and it seems that the limited edition one has more circuitry plus i dont know what there called but on the front of the card the limited one has more of those blocks ( i think its coils) plus some more caps

[WarEagleAU]

with the price drops down to 189.99 for the cards, I think these should be lower. I got a nice Zalman vf900 and Id hate to not use it on my new hd3870 (or 3850) when I get it.

[zaqwsx]

Well look at the nice bundle is comes with you can't expect to just give it for free. (I wish it was free though)