External bandwidth dropped from 512-bit to 256-bit, but AMD stuck with 8 memory channels (each dropped from 64bit to 32bit). Right of the bat, half the external and internal memory bandwidth of R600 was cut out.
#Amd radeon hd 3870 nvidia geforce 8800 gt series
Historically, AMD's RV series has been a cost cut version of their R series designed for lower end volume parts, and that's where RV670 started. This is a half-node process based on 65nm technology, giving AMD an advantage in die size (cost) and potentially clock speed and/or power. The biggest news of this part is that it is fabbed on a 55nm TSMC process. The basic architecture of the hardware is largely unchanged from R600 there has been some additional functionality added, and a great deal of internal bandwidth removed, but other than that this is very much an R600 based part. Introducing the RV670ĪMD's two new graphics cards launching today are both based off a new GPU, referred to internally as the RV670. This new product, like the 8800 GT, would be aimed squarely at the $150 - $250 market segment, something both AMD and NVIDIA did a horrible job at with mainstream releases earlier this year (26 both sucked guys). But what we saw there wasn't a fluke, it was a preemptive strike against AMD, who have been hard at work on an affordable GPU of their own. NVIDIA's GeForce 8800 GT kicked off the trend, in one fell swoop making almost all of NVIDIA's product line obsolete thanks to the high performance and low price tag (we'll talk about that last part shortly). Although they're sure to return, the days of reviewing $600 graphics card after $600 graphics card are on hiatus, and instead we're reviewing a new class of mainstream cards with earth-shattering performance. We're finally getting somewhere interesting in the graphics industry. Granted it's a bit slower than the 8800, but it still runs nearly every game the 8800 does at playable framerates with max settings, with the exception of Crysis which neither card can pull off.Finally. Of course if every little bit saved matters, the 3870 may be the better choice (if you can find one).
If you dont want to spend that extra $100 or dont trust ATI when they say the next gen cards will be CrossFire compatible with the 3800's, then you should probably just go for the 8800. When the next gen cards come out, they will be CrossFire compatible with the 38xx series, so all you'd have to do is get the new card and CrossFire mobo (which you'll be able to find for around $100). If you think you might try CrossFire next year, then by all means get the 3870. In which case there's a few things to consider. Judging by your $400 limit though, I'd guess you aren't bleeding edge. If you're the bleeding edge kind of guy, go for the 8800 since you'll just be dumping it next year for something better.