ED#69 : ATI Radeon HD 3870/3850 Vs. NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

[Dashken]

Everyone is buzzing about the new ATI Radeon HD 3800 series graphics cards. Targeted at the 512MB and 256MB versions of the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, these are the first graphics cards from ATI to offer a credible challenge to NVIDIA.

In fact, the new Radeon HD 3800 graphics cards may be just the thing to turn around ATI's fortunes. The only question is - is this a real problem for NVIDIA or only a fleeting advantage for ATI?

Here's a quote from the editorial :-

"The really big problem for NVIDIA right now is availability. They haven't been able to deliver the GeForce 8800 GT in sufficient quantities to even meet initial demands. This may push impatient gamers into buying the cheaper Radeon HD 3870, especially if ATI includes an attractive game bundle like they did with the Radeon HD 2900 XT."

Link : ED#69 : ATI Radeon HD 3870/3850 Vs. NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

[morikaweb]

I think your article fails to take into account one thing. That is the niche HTPC/Media server market. As far as I'm concerned Nvidia does not have anything in its arsenal to complete with something like Sapphires Radeon HD 3850 512 meg heat pipe version on the HTPC front.

With its UVD, HDMI support, and low heat production the 3850 is the king of the HTPC ring.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by morikaweb

I think your article fails to take into account one thing. That is the niche HTPC/Media server market. As far as I'm concerned Nvidia does not have anything in its arsenal to complete with something like Sapphires Radeon HD 3850 512 meg heat pipe version on the HTPC front.

With its UVD, HDMI support, and low heat production the 3850 is the king of the HTPC ring.

Well, that may be true but the HTPC is a niche market as you say. ATI is not going to sell that many Radeon HD 3850 cards even if they corner the entire HTPC market.

Besides, not every HTPC user is looking for 3D gaming performance. If all they need is a card that can do HD video, then even something like the GeForce 8600 GT will be more than sufficient.