The word on the HD 3850

Hey everyone, I made a thread here yesterday asking about the 8600 GT and whether it was worth it or not, and got some really nice responses. Well, I recently saw a topic about the HD 3870 or something or other supposedly coming out next week, so my question is, will the 3850 drop in price due to this release? And, what can the 3850 be compared to as far as Nvidia cards go? Can it run high end games better than a 8600? Would it be worth it? My price range is around the 100 dollar area, and it would be great to hear that the 3850 would be dropping a little, because they are juuust out of my range. Thanks guys.The word on the HD 3850
The regular HD 3870 is already out, so don't expect any price drops of the HD 3850. What I think you heard of was the HD 3870x2 which is basically two HD 3870's SLI'ed together into one card.



I'm pretty sure that the HD 3850 is a much better card than the 8600GT, but whether it is worth it or not depends on if you're willing to stretch your budget. Personally I would try to save up for the 3850 or 3870.The word on the HD 3850
Oh? That must have been it then. Thank you for clearing that up, though.
No, there won't be a price drop. The 3850 is ridiculously cheap in terms of performance as it is, though. But if it is still too much, get that XFX 8600GT with the zalman fan and the 680MHz core clock I recommended earlier.
Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.
[QUOTE=''imrlybord7'']No, there won't be a price drop. The 3850 is ridiculously cheap in terms of performance as it is, though. But if it is still too much, get that XFX 8600GT with the zalman fan and the 680MHz core clock I recommended earlier.[/QUOTE] I currently am looking that up on Newegg, but how do I know if they have the Zalman fan or not?
Doubt it. Nvidia/ATI don't usually do price drops on cards unless they are releasing a card close to its price range. The 8800GT is ~$250, and the 9800GX2 is expected to be at least ~$450. Maybe if they release a 9800GTX.
The zalman fan is big, round and fan-looking, unlike the standard HSF (heat sink and fan) of the 8600GT, which is flat across the card with a little fan.
[QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE]Hard to say, if they release the 9800 high end graphics cards first then they may just keep the current pricing of their current mid-range cards. However, the card to look out for is the 9600GT which appears to be set to replace the 8600GT
[QUOTE=''General_X''][QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE]Hard to say, if they release the 9800 high end graphics cards first then they may just keep the current pricing of their current mid-range cards. However, the card to look out for is the 9600GT which appears to be set to replace the 8600GT[/QUOTE] Hmm, I actually heard about this but forgot about it. Do you know when that is slated to release?
[QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine''][QUOTE=''General_X''][QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE]Hard to say, if they release the 9800 high end graphics cards first then they may just keep the current pricing of their current mid-range cards. However, the card to look out for is the 9600GT which appears to be set to replace the 8600GT[/QUOTE] Hmm, I actually heard about this but forgot about it. Do you know when that is slated to release?[/QUOTE]Current guestimates say February, but I'm not sure and I don't think it has officially been set.
[QUOTE=''General_X''][QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine''] [QUOTE=''General_X''][QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE]Hard to say, if they release the 9800 high end graphics cards first then they may just keep the current pricing of their current mid-range cards. However, the card to look out for is the 9600GT which appears to be set to replace the 8600GT[/QUOTE] Hmm, I actually heard about this but forgot about it. Do you know when that is slated to release?[/QUOTE]Current guestimates say February, but I'm not sure and I don't think it has officially been set.[/QUOTE] Yeah I read the article and comments and they were saying Feb. 14th. Well, here's hoping.
[QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE] maybe a bit but the 9 series is still based on the 8 series so don't expect any big price drops. and the one that will puch prices down, the 9800gt isn't out for a few months. the ones coming soon are the 9600gt (the 8800gt murders it) and the 9800x2 (2 ultras put together with 65nm)
[QUOTE=''imprezawrx500''] [QUOTE=''TheGTAvaccine'']Well, i also have another question. Do you guys think the 8800 GT will drop in price at all once the 9800 is released? I think someone said it is coming out next month.[/QUOTE] maybe a bit but the 9 series is still based on the 8 series so don't expect any big price drops. and the one that will puch prices down, the 9800gt isn't out for a few months. the ones coming soon are the 9600gt (the 8800gt murders it) and the 9800x2 (2 ultras put together with 65nm)[/QUOTE] this is 100% right, so waiting isnt really worth it except you would save to get 3850
I dont understand the comparison betw HD3850 and 8600GT(S) the HD3850 is somtimes twice the performance.And not only the performance the picturequality is superrior.Onboard 5.1dolby pro sound. (inbound with HMDI)Check out charts and benchmarks. HD3850 kill/slaugther the 8600gt(s).A close comp. is HD3850 512mb and 8800GTS 320mb there about the same performance in game benchmarks and 3Dmark06.Try HD3850 its a good card. (I own one)