AMD HD3800 a fizzer?

"Is the HD3800 going to be a fizzer or an absolute bargain?"

Published: 6th November 2007 | Source: The Inquirer | Author: Matthew Fogg

AMD HD3800 pricing shock follows down-clock call

AMD's answer to the 8800 GT and revamped 8800 GTS - the HD3800 (R680), which is reportedly on track for mid November this year looks like it's going to be an absolute bargain.

The HD 3850 will exist primarily as a 256MB part, while the 3870 will bring 512MB to the table. Some 3850 parts may come with 512MB and some 3870 parts with 1GB of memory -for 20 and 50 USD/EUR above current asking price.

Radeon HD 3850 should retail for between $149 to 179 (USD), while 3870 should be between 200 to 230. This is brilliant pricing, going way below 8800GT.

According to our source, and admittedly it should be taken with a grain of salt, AMD has run into clocking walls with a certain heatsink-fan combo. Reading between the lines of the source article it appears that AMD are having major problems with the scalability of the GPU, and subsequently, the yields may not be as healthy as AMD are making out.

Pricing for both launch parts is very aggressive, and AMD claims it is all due to 55nm process working like a clockwork and achieving excellent yields.

If you consider the problems that AMD had with R600 and the continual delays in getting the the cards to the retail channel, there may actually be an element of truth to the rumour. Furthermore; with the significant price reduction, albeit rumour, it seems to add some weight behind the move.

The real truth is that AMD started running into clocking walls (with a selected heatsink-fan combo) and again decided to crash the prices instead of gunning for a better cooling setup that will enable those 800 MHz+ clocks we saw earlier in development.

AMD is touting DirectX 10.1, UVD and PowerPlay checkbox features as key features for selling the RV670 chips.

Again I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

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Most Recent Comments

06-11-2007, 13:01:07

llwyd

The question is, what do you NEED more? What monitor are you currently using, do you REALLY need a few extra inches (unless ur rocking like a 15" CRT from the early 90's or something). If you don't have a portable music player, the iPod touch is hands down the best of the best. With it's large screen, thin profile, and WiFi capabilities you can't beat it.

I vote for the iPod unless you have some uber craptastical monitor as it is.

So im guessing you used your 30" monitor for designing cities and stuff? :p

06-11-2007, 13:10:58

Pat123

Haha, i have a bog standard nano, oldish.. Dont really need either lol.. but both would be nice.. if i get the LG im only half a months wages off an iPod.. so.. either way i think i can manage both lol.. Just which do i want first ha..

ALso providing the 22" wont hurt my FPS much on like crysis, coz im 1440x900 atm.. so its not a HUGE step up for my card..

06-11-2007, 13:20:34

Mr. Smith

With hindsight I'd rather have saved a bit of cash on the 24" monitor and got a 22" monitor.

The reason is you need really good hardware to play at native res with max eye candy and well, once you have a 24" you kind HAVE to play like that, or what is the point? I'm actually thinking of downsizing to a 22" so my gfx card goes further...

Any way, which do you want now? Get one now and the other at xmas?

06-11-2007, 17:08:25

Pat123

yeh most likely.. or just buy one with my wages, im only 16 you see.. So.. £200 a month is alot hahah..

I was thinking. iPod now, monitor in a couple of weeks.. or maybe just no monitor at all, allowing to me to play with higher settings..

19-11-2007, 15:27:05

[Ins]

Sony Ericsson P1i ftw tbh

It's funny you say that Kemp as I've just changed my Sony P1i for an iPhone :D

I LOVE my iPhone!!!! :D

19-11-2007, 15:40:44

Kempez

[QUOTE='[Ins];231594']It's funny you say that Kemp as I've just changed my Sony P1i for an iPhone :D

I LOVE my iPhone!!!! :D[/QUOTE]

Played with one, got bored after a couple of mins and laughed at the uber slow internet, the cr@ppy touch screen texting and general lack of a decent keyboard

Flash over function imo

19-11-2007, 17:07:02

mrapoc

I dont like Ipods - i'd go for a 24" 2407wfp or something :yumyum: HDCP :D

20-11-2007, 13:31:09

Hyper

Ipod Touch, they are lurvley :cool:

21-11-2007, 03:58:56

[Ins]

Played with one, got bored after a couple of mins and laughed at the uber slow internet, the cr@ppy touch screen texting and general lack of a decent keyboard

Flash over function imo

It's funny cos I do the same with all other phones now lol. Laugh at their poor design, clunky interface, etc.

I guess it's all personal preference ;)

21-11-2007, 04:01:56

[Ins]

Oh and the keyboard does take a little getting used to, but after a few goes, it's really good.

Plus why have a keyboard taking up space all the time when you don't need one? ;)

AMD HD3800 a fizzer?

"Is the HD3800 going to be a fizzer or an absolute bargain?"

Published: 6th November 2007 | Source: The Inquirer | Author: Matthew Fogg

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