'First time build' - Low Budget system for 3ds max & Autocad

oh right, would you recommend the firegl v3600 or should i just stick with the hd3850?

(I've posted another thread about it : http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/694817 )

 

I think i'm just going to go for the hd3850 and see how it goes. (as I've already said, I think the only thing the graphics card will effect is when working/modelling in the viewports and apparently the end product rendering should only rely on the cpu and ram)

Sorry for all the questions, but before I buy the hd3850; I want to know why the price difference is so little between the 256mb and the 512mb i have found:

256MB HiS (HighTech) Radeon HD3850 PCI-E (x16), 1656 MHz, GDDR3, GPU 668 MHz, 320 Cores, 2x DVI-I
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=719127



512MB PowerColor HD 3850 PCI-E2.0 1800MHz GDDR3, GPU 720MHz, 320Cores, DVI/S-Video, HDCP Pro Cooling
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=722240




For the sake of £7 extra the 512mb version seems worth it. (or am i missing something vital here?) Yes they are different brands and they look different but does that make any difference. Has PCI-E & PCI-E2.0 got anything to do with it?(compatibility with the Mboard) Also, the 256mb version doesn't state anything about openGL in it's chipset features - whereas the 512mb does.


I'm just looking for the best value for money, which would you buy if you had to choose out of the two?

 

Sorry about this, I'm getting confused now - as the hd3870 looks even better again in the same price range!

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=848058

I must be getting something wrong, as i know nothing about graphics cards.

 

The 3870 is certainly a better card.

 

Ok I think i will go with the 3870 now then haha. I hope it serves well for my needs. Will it still be compatible with the mboard and 380w psu i'm using?

 

i'm glad to see you found your card, most video cards use a standard power slot and a pci 2.o slot, so if one is compatible, most will be

 

Yeah, if it can run a 3850 it will probably run a 3870. It's cutting it close though.

 

I am running AutoCad just fine, with my 3870. I think that recommendation is for a minimum 450W PSU.

 

I've just used the psu calculator on this site:
http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

It says i will require a 268w supply with the components i will be using. If that is right then a 380w psu should be plenty.

 

..that doesn't include overclocking by the way.

 

380W PSU is not 100 percent efficient. An 80% efficient PSU(which is pretty good) takes that figure down to 304W. Also, when you ran that test did you calculate in Capacitor aging? Make sure you include all the USB devices you will use, the fans you will have, etc.

So yeah, it's going to be cutting it REALLY close. To be safe I would recommend getting a Corsair 450VX or something.

 

ok i suppose i better get a 450w, its better to be safe than sorry.

cheers mate

 

That's a good idea.

cheers.