Powercolor HD3850 Extreme PCS - AMD 3850 Performance explored
Game tests - Quake 4, CNC3 and Bioshock
Published: 15th November 2007 | Source: Powercolor | Price: £135 |
Quake 4 is a game built on the Doom 3 engine. This uses many DX 9.0c features and is a game that nVidia traditionally did well on being an OpenGL game. Once again I did three two minute runs on Quake 4 on each card and took the average of all my readings from these. I played a fast and furious part of the game that required both internal and external scenes.
At Ultra settings in our game test, this should give the ATI card a good run for its money.
Quake 4 is a little bit of an older game and the HD3850 seemed to breeze it, playing at Ultra High detail with 4 x AA on and barely breaking a sweat.
Command and Conquer 3
C&C3 is the much awaited RTS from EA. Hugely popular and with some pretty nice visuals almost every modern PC should be able to play it. I tested a skirmish right at the end when I had a screen full of mechs to defeat the enemy. AA was set to the highest level it could be in-game.
After seeing how the HD3850 does in the other tests, this should be a breeze for it.
Bioshock
Bioshock is a recent FPS shooter by 2K games. Based on the UT3 engine it has a large amount of advanced DirectX techniques including excellent water rendering and superb lighting and smoke techniques. I used the DirectX 10 path in Windows Vista to test the game in this part of the review.
Again the Powercolor HD3850 made Bioshock playable at this high resolution and detail setting. This is an excellent performance from a card around the £120 mark.
Most Recent Comments
Nice review Kemp. Performance was a little underwhelming but it all depends on the price point really. I think on the first page hard should be harm.
Cheers mate. Performance was pretty damn good if you ask me, £135 for a card that nearly performs as well as an 8800GT?
Nice review there, I really thought I would have to be canceling my 8800gt order! But not quite. I've never had an Ati card, but I take it the price will be around £130 and up for pre oc'ed cards. Is the powercolor a reasonably middle of the road brand for Ati?
The cooler looks pretty decent, found a link to manufactures of them:
http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/GX815.asp
Nice one
The cooler looks pretty decent, found a link to manufactures of them:
http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/GX815.asp
Nice one
looks awsome
performs medeocre - reasonable
not bad i guess
performs medeocre - reasonable
not bad i guess
ATI are back in the game, well sort of. I wonder when places will get them in stock.
For a stock clocked 8800gt you can get it for 250 at zipzoomfly.com right now its out of stock but if anything its less. I do love the fact that ati is cutting down on power consumtion and higher temps.
Review a 3870? CF?
Review was decent though
Review was decent though
Yep they will be forthcoming, didn't get a 3870 initially but I'll be sure to get one in soon
For £139 in the UK and $140 in the US it's a bargain card that performs almost as well as an 8800GT.
For £139 in the UK and $140 in the US it's a bargain card that performs almost as well as an 8800GT.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Kempez'
Yep they will be forthcoming, didn't get a 3870 initially but I'll be sure to get one in soon
For £139 in the UK and $140 in the US it's a bargain card that performs almost as well as an 8800GT. |
I love the direct conversion from $ to £... Import ftw!
Tried not to bump too old a thread, but I`ve just noticed that PowerColor/Radeon/Sapphire are making an AGP 8x of the 3850.
Interesting for those holding onto 939 boards with their teeth.
Gotta get some decent results from that.
Interesting for those holding onto 939 boards with their teeth.
Gotta get some decent results from that.
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