HD 3870 or 9600 GSO?

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I was thinking about getting a new graphics card as a "little" upgrade to make my computer last a little longer. I don't play video games that much anymore except maybe some DoD:S or CS:S. Right now I play at 1280x1024 but my X800XL can't handle it at full settings for 1680x1050 so I kinda wanted to get a cheap card.

My two choices are:
EVGA 9600 GSO

Gigabyte HD 3870

Both are $99.99 after rebate so which one will be better? And which one can my current specs handle?

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

I put in my vote for the 9600gso, as you have an NVIDIA chipset, and that might give you a little boost.

 

[p_o_s_pc]

i say 3870 i think it is faster

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

Which ever one I choose, my computer should be able to handle both right?

 

[p_o_s_pc]

i think you will be fine with what ever one you want, your CPU is going to be a hell of a CPU bottleneck

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

Not at bad as my bottleneck mind you!

 

[p_o_s_pc]

Not at bad as my bottleneck mind you!

maybe not but it still would be bad... Why do you have that CPU with the 4850 anyways

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

It's overclocked to 2.75Ghz right now, but yeah it is a bottleneck.

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

maybe not but it still would be bad... Why do you have that CPU with the 4850 anyways

I am gonna grab a Phenom eventually. I bought that CPU the second day the AM2 platform was released. They had not yet shipped the 3800 X2 yet...

 

[yogurt_21]

I voted 9600gso as you're an an nv chipset and the performance difference between the two is marginal but goes in favor of the 9600gso with aa enabled.

 

[ChromeDome]

the 3870 is faster stock i believe...the GSO can match or exceed it overclocked prolly. idk how well the 3870 overclocks.....but if it does that'll be cool

both being the same price...i would go with the 3870. it matches up pretty well with the nvidia 8800GT, the GSO just below them along with the 9600GT. another good card in the price range. at your resolution of 1680X1050 the 512mb of memory and 256 bit interface would help you with more demanding games.....but with the games you're playing it will hardly matter. and even so just keep the AA off on some games at that resolution and you'd be fine.

i always recommend my own card at this juncture to the casual gamer. be aware it is EXCATLY the same as the 9600GSO you're looking at...but with a single slot cooler (some say its more effective then evga's dual slot they use on the GSO) and it is $20 cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130332

i game at 14400X900 and i like the card fine, overclocks fairly well. read the reviews...should be all you need

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

That 8800GS looks pretty nice. What's its length?

 

[ChromeDome]

the length is 9 inches, width 4.4 inches. so its pretty long. fits in my mid tower case fine with just enough room for a second HD when i add it. so it worked out well for me

the GSO you're looking at has the same dimensions. as said, same card under the cooler

 

[candle_86]

ive had the 8800GS and now a 3870 and honestly, i say go with the Nvidia, im having all sorts of driver related issues, I want to get rid of both of my cards and get a single good Nvidia card and be done with the driver issues

 

[ChromeDome]

i've had a few driver issues with nvidia. mainly when i was trying to find a good overclock...but also installing modded drivers and the like

with vista even when up and up drivers can be tricky. i'm stable with the 175.70's now...but i still get a rare crash. rare....followed by a possible blue screen at start up

which vista now fixes so thats nice

i know nvidia and MS have been at war with words blaming each other when it was recently announced nvidia drivers are responsible for around 30% of all vista crashes. man fingers were and are pointing both ways

ATI? meh...i had them in the "bad 'ol days." talk about driver issues i thought i'd go nuts. turned to nvidia and never looked back

but with the release of the 4000 series....i am now looking back for the first time

i want one of them

 

[DOM]

I got PALIT 9600GSO Sonic 768MB & PALIT 9600GSO 384MB cards I can run some test for you if you like But I only get the 384MB, Sonic 768MB are being RMA'ed

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I think I'm just going to go with either the 9600GSO or 8800GS based on what you guys tell me.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I'm just gonna order the 8800GS from newegg, thanks guys. Hopefully it'll overclock well.

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

get a 768 gso

 

[ShadowFold]

I like my HD 3850 alot. I would go with a 3870. Ive had ALOT more problems with nvidia drivers than ATi.

 

[JC316]

I would go with the 9600 because of your power supply, it will probably draw a little less than the 3870.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

Just wondering, since this card is long (9 inches) and it'll be in the way of my SATA cables now, could I just move the SATA cables with no problem and have the computer work. Or would I have to mess with something in the BIOS if I want to move the Harddrives to different SATA ports?

 

[ShadowFold]

I had a 8800GTX in my rig for awile and all I didnt have to move my HDD's around. That was in my old rosewill midtower too!

 

[JrRacinFan]

Hi Azn. If that GSO was of 768MB flavor i'd say jump on it. But due to high video memory, HD3870.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I had a 8800GTX in my rig for awile and all I didnt have to move my HDD's around. That was in my old rosewill midtower too!

It's not that, but my SATA ports on my DFI nForce 4 Ultra-D are on the way. If you look at the pic you'll see. So far my 2 80GB hard drives are on the top two SATA. Can I just move it to the lower 2 SATA or will I have to configure something in the BIOS? It's RAID0 btw.