HD3850

[dobieg2002]

Should I go for a Higher Core or Memory speed when OC'ing? I can do 745 core and 934 mem stable for a while, but it will eventually lock up. I fI lower the memory speed I can stay at 745 x 910 or 735 x 934. I haven't had time to benchmark.

Thanks,

 

[brfitzp1337]

I really dont know the answer to your question, but do u have the 256MB or the 512 MB version? Also when you get the chance to benchmark please post the results, I have the same cpu and i just ordered my 3850 cant use it until Christmas though.

edit: eh just realized you had a crossfire setup oh well.

 

[aeonrevolution]

The core speed will probably help more, but 10-20 mhz difference is negligable.

 

[Brent_Justice]

go for the GPU speed improvement on that card

 

[dobieg2002]

Thanks, I'll see how high I can take the core while keeping the memory around 900. @ 745 / 934 I was getting about 38fps in Crysis @ 1280x720 with a custom mix of Very high / High except tweaked Med / High shadows. I'm hoping I can keep those settings playable while reducing heat. ( It has never locked up in Cryis only when watching HD channels in Mediacenter the temps of the cards goes through the roof 90c+). I am very pleased with the HD3850, though I wish I had waited for the 512 version.

 

[newls1]

Thanks, I'll see how high I can take the core while keeping the memory around 900. @ 745 / 934 I was getting about 38fps in Crysis @ 1280x720 with a custom mix of Very high / High except tweaked Med / High shadows. I'm hoping I can keep those settings playable while reducing heat. ( It has never locked up in Cryis only when watching HD channels in Mediacenter the temps of the cards goes through the roof 90c+). I am very pleased with the HD3850, though I wish I had waited for the 512 version.

Why would you have to wait, the 512's are out and been out for about 2 weeks now. But my other question is why the 3850, and not the 3870? The price is just a little different.

 

[dobieg2002]

Why would you have to wait, the 512's are out and been out for about 2 weeks now. But my other question is why the 3850, and not the 3870? The price is just a little different.

I purchased my 3850's a few days after launch. the 3870's where out of stock everywhere or price gouged and I needed to get my new build done. I wouldn't pay $250 for a 3870 now, but if they drop back to $219 I will try to trade /sell my 3850's for 2 of those. If anyone is interested I will trade my 2 3850's for 1 3870...

 

[newls1]

I purchased my 3850's a few days after launch. the 3870's where out of stock everywhere or price gouged and I needed to get my new build done. I wouldn't pay $250 for a 3870 now, but if they drop back to $219 I will try to trade /sell my 3850's for 2 of those. If anyone is interested I will trade my 2 3850's for 1 3870...

Why would you trade 2 3850's for 1 3870? That would be a performance LOSS.

 

[dobieg2002]

Why would you trade 2 3850's for 1 3870? That would be a performance LOSS.

I know it is a performance loss, but I will buy another 3870 when I have the money... The 3850's are great, until I try 1920x1080 or going for very high textures w/ AA etc... The 256MB just isn't enough.

 

[BX_TECH_GOD]

I know it is a performance loss, but I will buy another 3870 when I have the money... The 3850's are great, until I try 1920x1080 or going for very high textures w/ AA etc... The 256MB just isn't enough.

but then there is always the 3850 512MB versions for $199.

 

[dderidex]

I know it is a performance loss, but I will buy another 3870 when I have the money... The 3850's are great, until I try 1920x1080 or going for very high textures w/ AA etc... The 256MB just isn't enough.

I've been surprised how fast these cards burn through v-ram. Using ATI Tray Tools, I was watching v-ram usage in 'Oblivion'. At 1280x1024, all in-game settings cranked, 4xAA and HDR, 16xAF, etc...free texture memory would drop to '0 mb' pretty often outdoors. It still played alright, but you could feel the stutter when moving between zones.

Framerate with my 512mb x1950Pro was certainly never as good on average (and I couldn't manage those settings ANYWAY), but the zone transition was a lot 'smoother'.

So...yeah, I'm prepared to say that cards at this price point really NEED 512mb.

 

[pfunkman]

I've been surprised how fast these cards burn through v-ram. Using ATI Tray Tools, I was watching v-ram usage in 'Oblivion'. At 1280x1024, all in-game settings cranked, 4xAA and HDR, 16xAF, etc...free texture memory would drop to '0 mb' pretty often outdoors. It still played alright, but you could feel the stutter when moving between zones.

Framerate with my 512mb x1950Pro was certainly never as good on average (and I couldn't manage those settings ANYWAY), but the zone transition was a lot 'smoother'.

So...yeah, I'm prepared to say that cards at this price point really NEED 512mb.

The streamline mod will kill that problem.

Easily the best mod ever for oblivion.

Streamline enhances the performance of Oblivion by reducing stuttering and lag, and smoothing out gameplay. It does this by maintaining much cleaner cell buffer and video ram caches while the game is running and the player is moving from place to place.

As a result, average FPS performance over a gaming session should be higher, and the lag generally experienced as gameplay progresses should be significantly reduced (or eliminated entirely). Further, due to the manner and frequency in which memory is cleared, people that were unable to use higher resolution texture packs in the past, may be capable of doing so now.

 

[dderidex]

The streamline mod will kill that problem.

Easily the best mod ever for oblivion.

I am running that mod - only one I'm running, actually, aside from the official ones.

It really doesn't help - I just don't think 256mb is enough.

Granted, I've cranked a lot of the game settings up - as mentioned, all the UI stuff, and in the .ini file, increased shadow map resolution (?maybe to 4096?), etc.

 

[dobieg2002]

Well I have goten 750 / 919 stable for hours of Crysis and HD watching. Not too bad for $180 cards. Running Crysis at 32fps with most things on High / Very high except shadows which are Very high distance but Low resolution. I didn't even have to lower any setting for the end of the game.. Now UT3 has issues with something and I get constant hitching...