Radeon 3850 graphics card.

[steamboateng]

I am looking to buy a new AGP video card to replace my trusty Radeon x8000 XT Platinum.
I'm looking at a HIS Radeon HD3850 w/iceQ cooling or a Saphire Radeon HD3850.
While trolling the net I have come across a numer of horror stories regarding these cards and drivers. Worse yet, I see reports of 'incompatability' with VIA chipsets.
I'm running Windows XP Pro on an Abit AV8 mobo, Athalon 64FX processor w/VIA K8T800P-8237 chipset.
I expect driver problems, but am more concerned with 'compatability' issues.
Am I wasting my time installing one of these puppies on my rig?
Have any of you got a Radeon3850 AGP to work with the chipset mentioned above?

[Mr. Chris]

I don't think you will have any problems, not with that Abit board. I had an Nvidia 6600GT then an Nvidia 6800GT in the same board.

But, the 38xx series do seem to have a lot of failures. Also check your power supply to see if it passes the requirements for the card. Chris.

[steamboateng]

Thank you for your reply.
I have a 530 watt PSU, which should be quite adequate for the card demands. I have never seen more than a 250 watt load with present set-up.
From your reply I assume you were pleased with the Abit AV8 mobo and chiset. Why do you feel there should be no problem? I appreciate any insight you can give. I'm no guru at these things and depend on research for answers.
I am still concrned about the VIA chipset. I'm hoping to get some input from someone who has tried a HD3850 AGP card with this chipset. The Saphire card retails at $130-$140, the HIS Ice Q at $200. A bit of an outlay, only to find out it don't work!

Regards

[Mr. Chris]

Where do you live that those video cards are so expensive? Here's a list from New Egg (USA) Newegg.com - Radeon HD 3850, Radeon HD 3000 series, ATI, Desktop Graphics / Video Cards, Video Cards & Video Devices, Computer Hardware pretty cheap prices.

As far as the AV8, was my most favorite AGP mother board. But it was picky about the power supply and what brand of RAM I used. Only reason I upgraded was because of PCI-E and I went right back to Abit (sad they won't be making mother boards any more)

The only issue that VIA chipset boards have with ATI cards is that ATI cards seem to like a little extra voltage, you may have to increase the volts at the AGP slot to 1.7v. That's about it.

Maybe someone else will pop in with their comments about this board and card.

I went to Nvidia cards many years ago because I got tired of ATI's monthly driver updates, that always seemed to break more than they fixed. They have gotten a lot better, but their new 4xxx series of cards is still challenged by driver issues. Chris.

[steamboateng]

I checked Newegg. The 512mb Saphire HD3850 is $130. The HIS 512mb HD3850 w/ IceQ is $200.
Glad to hear you had good luck with your Abit mobo.
Dumb computer illiterate question......
It's recommended these cards run on 400mhz(min.) FS Bus clock
I dived into my abit bios utility yesterday and found a 200 Mhz FSB clock present. But it appeared to have a 5x multiplier adjustment. Was this the case in your Abit board? Can it be adjusted?
Regards

[Mr. Chris]

As far as the FSB requirements, your CPU has an FSB of 1,000 (200x5) so you are well above the minimum 400FSB they require. Chris.

[steamboateng]

Thank you Chris. You have been very helpful. Now, If I can only find someone who has plugged an HD 3850 video card into a mobo with the VIA K8T80-8337 chipset.
Regards

[RQuallsJR]

The card will work fine, Drivers are good . just download the hotfix for the 2000 and 3000 series. In the search bar I have a 2600HD Pro And thats what I had to do.