VisionTek 3870

[Coreyhm1]

I have a Sapphire 3870 with the reference cooler, and am wanting to buy another for crossfire. They have the VisionTek on newegg for $199. I shouldn't have any problems overclocking the two should I, if the bios are different, or will the bios on both cards be the same?

The only reason I'm probably going to buy the VisionTek one, is because I'm seeing alot of people ordering from other manufactures such as Sapphire, and even Diamond and receiving cards with a cooler other than the original reference cooler, some are even receiving blue pcb's. I'm picky, and need mine to be in matching clothing, it seems visiontek only puts out the card with the reference cooler :beer:

Thanks

[zPacKRat]

I recently purchased a Visiontek 3870 from the Egg and it's not the reference design.
Here's the deal, the 2d and 3d clocks are the same however the voltage does lower at low power 3d and 2d speeds, also there is limited OC'ing in CCC the GPU is defaulted to 800 up to 840 in CCC and the ram is 1170 with no option to OC. However there is a "beta" bios for the reference cards supplied by ATI available over at Visionteks forums upon request that should have a similar configuration to the Visiontek bios.

[Coreyhm1]

Dang, i wonder were i can buy a card that I'm 100% positive I'm going to receive a reference design :bang head

my sapphire card also downclocks on idle, and i really don't want to go flashing bios.. it makes me nervous :-/

[zPacKRat]

I've flashed mine several times now with the fanfix bios, the latest sapphire bios, but wound up going with the 800/1200 Visiontek bios, found it over at techpowerup.com.

If you decide to flash it's not a big deal. and it seems that a reference card is a reference card, the difference being any bios changes made by the mfg to the ATI provided bios.

[Coreyhm1]

Thanks, I'm sure its easy. I need to flash the card i have now so i can get above the 860 limit.

I'll be ordering another hopefully withing the next week, i just don't know what to get so I'll know it will be with the reference cooler :(

[oakstave]

Thanks, I'm sure its easy. I need to flash the card i have now so i can get above the 860 limit.

I'll be ordering another hopefully withing the next week, i just don't know what to get so I'll know it will be with the reference cooler :(

YHPM

[Coreyhm1]

I recently purchased a Visiontek 3870 from the Egg and it's not the reference design.
Here's the deal, the 2d and 3d clocks are the same however the voltage does lower at low power 3d and 2d speeds, also there is limited OC'ing in CCC the GPU is defaulted to 800 up to 840 in CCC and the ram is 1170 with no option to OC. However there is a "beta" bios for the reference cards supplied by ATI available over at Visionteks forums upon request that should have a similar configuration to the Visiontek bios.

What did your card look like?

I don't know what to do! it seems the sapphire card i own with the reference design cooler has been "discontinued" on their site. And every other brand, no one is receiving a reference design card :bang head

[zPacKRat]

it looks like the GECUBE with different stickers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=14-241-071-05.jpg&Image=14-241-071-03.jpg%2c14-241-071-04.jpg%2c14-241-071-05.jpg%2c14-241-071-06.jpg%2c14-241-071-07.jpg%2c14-241-071-08.jpg%2c14-241-071-09.jpg%2c14-241-071-02.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Depa=0&Description=GECUBE+Radeon+HD+3870+GC-XHD3870XTG4-E3+Video+Card

[Coreyhm1]

I don't think they would look too bad together... I wish they atleast shared the same ramsinks so i could put some duorbs on them.. :-/

If i get say the Diamond card, and they have difference bios and heatsinks. That shouldn't conflict with overclocking and changing the fan speed of the (1) card should it?

[oakstave]

Don't know about individual fan speeds... I just let the bios do it's job and adjust it for me.

If you use CCC, you can shut off crossfire, and OC them individually. Not sure if that makes sense, because I believe crossfire only runs as fast as the slowest card.

I get a slightly less impressive overclock with crossfire than with a single card. I had to lower my memory speed by 55 or so with crossfire.

The bios can make a difference in how well a cards clocks. But then again, you can always flash the bios. ;)

[Coreyhm1]

Thanks

I'm ordering tomorrow, has anyone ordered a Diamond 3870 from newegg recently? a couple reviews are saying it has the gecube cooler, i don't think it would look too bad with the reference cooler on my sapphire?

When i do get it, i'll uninstall the drivers, shutdown install both cards, boot, and re-install the drivers, enable crossfire?

[moto211]

I got this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127315R (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127315R)

I got mine at zipzoomfly though. It comes OC'd to 800 and bios oc limit is 885 and has a reference cooler.

[Coreyhm1]

i would, but its open box and the chances are, no accessories or crossfire bridge. And i can get a new one for $2 cheaper :(

[Coreyhm1]

Ok, i might order the MSI from newegg. Does anyone know if this card ONLY comes with the reference cooler? its open box and costs $2 more than a new one :eh?:.. but they will match.

My question is, would you buy an open item from newegg? They only reason im considering it, is so that they will match.

Thanks.

[Coreyhm1]

not really a bump, but anyone care to share their opinions, im just about to pull the trigger?

[grumperfish]

Thanks

I'm ordering tomorrow, has anyone ordered a Diamond 3870 from newegg recently? a couple reviews are saying it has the gecube cooler, i don't think it would look too bad with the reference cooler on my sapphire?

When i do get it, i'll uninstall the drivers, shutdown install both cards, boot, and re-install the drivers, enable crossfire?

I bought one of these a couple weeks ago. Stock cooler is this one (http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/7274/stuff002ze9.jpg).

[Coreyhm1]

Cool, i ended up ordering the diamond last night. If i get that cooler, it should still look great with the other card having a reference cooler.. pshh i shouldn't care, performance matters more than anything, right? :p

Btw, i do uninstall the drivers, shut the computer down, install both cards, then re-install the drivers and enable crossfire?

[Coreyhm1]

Btw, i do uninstall the drivers, shut the computer down, install both cards, then re-install the drivers and enable crossfire?

Is this right? It'll be here tomarrow, theres nothing in bios i need to do or anything like that is there? :beer:

also, this might be a dumb question. But can crossfire affect your fsb/overclock?

never messed with crossfire, thanks :p