AMD drops the dead weight.

So with the upcoming release of the AMD HD3800 series, it seems that AMD/ATI has cut their losses (looking at you HD2000 series!) and decided to jump to the next series of cards. In name at least, we are talking a new generation. Personally, I believe this was a good move on their part. While I don't think their mobile 2600 was all that bad, their desktop cards were really being pounced on by Nvidia. With a new generation title I do believe much of the negative stigma will be overcome.

Here is a great article outlining the new cards coming out.

AnandTech

Anywho, what does everything think this means for the mobile consumer? If ATI has really gotten back into the fight, one could assume that instead of trying to a release a highend mobile HD2000 series card, they may instead opt for a HD3000 series card of comprable performance to the high end 8800m GTX.

Regardless, I hope this marks AMDs return to the fight. I definately enjoy my Nvidia 8600m GT, but I have been getting sick of this Intel + Nvidia = Obliterate AMD/ATI trend going on for all of 2007. I can't wait to have both an AMD HD 3800 AND an Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTX as bubble options for the next generation of gaming laptops.

Also...anyone else think AMD is genius for dropping all of the stupid suffixes? It is all numerically based now. In other words...there are two models of the HD3800 series, the HD3850 and the HD3870. Makes it simple, no?

 

I have always been a fan of ATi and AMD . Too bad they were not good enough when I bought my M570RU . Anyway, I do hope you're right, I'd love to see Ati kick nvidia`s @ss for a change...

 

It seems pretty decent. There are improvements on this series.

I wouldn't mind getting the HD 3870 as my desktop videocard.

 

Hey eleron911, love your sig...

 

One thing to be noted though ... I hope that these new GPUs will have a better heat management, I'm too tired to look for that link with the guys that fried eggs on a 2900XT ...
10x xenon2050

 

While none of the reviews I have read have specifically mentioned heat output, power management and fan noise were addressed.

It seems that these new cards will have the most effective idle power management of any high end card available. Their load wattage is also VERY good, with the 3870 only a few watts above the 8800GT.

Also, fan noise has been reportedly decreased significantly. In most cases reviewers report that the HD3800 cards are half the crap (power usage, fan noise) for the same or better performance of the HD2900 cards.

So following that trend, I can say with confidence that the cards will be significantly cooler than the HD2900 cards.

 

I don't see anything wrong with it--it's not like AMD/ATi are being slouches, it's simply that Intel and nVidia is simply better.

Granted, if AMD/ATi shape up their act, that can make Intel and nVidia to do even greater things--which is good for us, the consumers.

I honestly do NOT want two comparable products for comparable prices. What's the point? That's just adding fuel to fanboys. I want a definite "better" product, and I'm going to buy that "better" product. In this generation, it was nVidia and Intel. Next generation? If it's AMD and ATi, more power to them! I'll be their custom next time around. If it's Intel and nVidia again, more power to them, again. And I'll be their customer once again.

Bottom line: The consumer lose out if both side just put out comparable products at comparable prices--there's no point in having those different products if that's the case.

 

Check this link out: http://www.gamespot.com/features/61...clk=multimodule&tag=multimodule;picks;title;1

Gamespot have done their hands-on review of the new ATI cards and desktop users looking for a graphics card upgrade will love the pricing (US$) of the new ATI cards. The performance is below the 8800GTS 512MB but there's better value for money.