Radeon HD 3850 and the Radeon HD 3870 graphics cards out by ATI. These are promoted as a gaming solution and costs lower than normal about $150 to $250. They are out in contest with Nvidia's 8800 GT and 8800 GTS 512. Graphics processing unit (GPU) die sizes were decreased less than 80 nanometers, permitting for higher chip yields and lower prices for high-end cards.

Similarities

1. Both cards are PCI-Express 2.0 yielding. Also, they both support CrossFireX, ATI's solution for running many video cards in parallel.
These are depending on ATI's RV670 GPU, a scaled-back edition of R600 that power-driven HD 2900 XT. They have 320-stream processors, 16-texture units, hold Direct X 10.1 and contain a 256-bit memory interface. They have a devoted video decoder, permitting for low-power high-definition playback.

Differences

2. Firstly, both parts are similar, but 3850 GPU was chosen from 3870 chips that had faults, which avoided them from running at complete speed. The 3850 runs at a lower clock speed than 3870, 1.66 gigahertz (GHz) compared to 2.25 GHz. Also, default 3850 card having 256 MB of RAM, as 3870 has 512 MB. Few card builders sold the 3850 with 512 MB of RAM, but this was quite unusual. The extra RAM permits 3870 to process higher detail graphics.

Availability

3. Neither card is still in creation, but for an accelerated graphics port (AGP) edition of 3850. AGP is a graphics interface found on older PCs. AGP edition of 3850 is slower than PCI-Express version, as PCI-Express supports about double the speed of an AGP port.

Radeon HD 3870 X2

4. Radeon HD 3870 X2 out by ATI. This card is depending on 3870, but utilizes two 3870 GPUs on a single card. Also RAM has been twice to 1 gigabyte. The X2 executes equal to two usual 3870s in a running in parallel on similar machine. This card can also be run in parallel with other 3870 X2 to permit for four GPUs processing together.

Considerations

5. As 3850 and 3870 are both cards with reputable performance, there is small reason to purchase either one. There are higher performing video cards available at same price in 2009. DirectX 11, which neither of these cards supports, has also been out. The 3850 and 3870 cards worth purchasing if you get them a much cheap price, but otherwise, avoid them; pick for something new in its place.