LioNEXT Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/06...d.3870.for.mac/ http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd3800/macpc/index.html AMD made a late announcement on Thursday expanding its Radeon for Mac lineup. The ATI-branded Radeon HD 3870 for Mac & PC is AMD's first 3000-series card for Macs and also one of the first to explicitly support more than one platform: users can install the card now in either a Mac Pro tower or a Windows PC and swap it to the other platform later, including for Boot Camp. As a new-generation part, the new chipset has twice as much performance per watt as the outgoing Radeon HD 2900 XT, the company claims. AMD's card is virtually equal to the Windows-only edition with 320 stream (pixel and vertex) processors, improved power use, and support for newer graphics shader effects either in DirectX 10.1 when in Windows or OpenGL 2.0 in OS X and other environments. For connections, the new Radeon HD board is built to outpace Apple's own offerings with both dual-link DVI ports that handle 30-inch displays as well as an S-video jack for analog video from TVs. AMD is shipping the card by the end of June in a 512MB version for $219 and expects it to be available at a number of Mac resellers. Update (07/07/2008): Seems the product is available for pre-order or in-stock in some places, at least briefly: $219: http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=3857975 (seems to be in stock) http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ATI%20Technologies/100435928/ http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/a-ati-100-435928 $208: http://fxvideocards.com/ATI-Radeon-3870-MA...x--p-16393.html http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.c...id=!ORDERID! $200: http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/produ...28&REFID=FR Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasen't there like a 9250 or a 9600 or some Radeon that had compatibility for both? But if it really stays at $219, that's a steal for a Mac if you don't have the 8800GT or quadro. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-781368 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasen't there like a 9250 or a 9600 or some Radeon that had compatibility for both? But if it really stays at $219, that's a steal for a Mac if you don't have the 8800GT or quadro. I think you are talking about Radeon 9800. I have been waiting to decide between 8800GT and 3870 for almost three months. Why waiting? Because it looks like Apple is jumpy more and more on the nVidia bandwagon probably. So we may get better 8800GT support in terms of drivers. They are still not optimized if you believe barefeats results (where they showed 1900XT beats 8800GT in all tests except games). 8800GT is now better prized but historically ATI cards have been better supported and good for video and graphics production (colors for example). It doesn't look like 10.5.3 added much to its performance (Haven't heard from anyone, esp on macrumors forums where you will get a thread very soon if it was so). Having seen 1900XT results, I am getting more inclined now to buy 3870, esp when the price is comparable (except that nvidia cards have huge rebates right now). [EDIT]: what exactly is their support? I mean in terms of drivers, performance? How does apple drivers compare to ati supported drivers. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-781393 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erño Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 "what exactly is their support? I mean in terms of drivers, performance? How does apple drivers compare to ati supported drivers." I'm guessing there will be support for drivers with windows, not OSX. The difference between OSX and windows is that OSX uses Open GL instead of DirectX, so the drivers are designed for that. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-781852 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I think you are talking about Radeon 9800. I have been waiting to decide between 8800GT and 3870 for almost three months. Why waiting? Because it looks like Apple is jumpy more and more on the nVidia bandwagon probably. So we may get better 8800GT support in terms of drivers. They are still not optimized if you believe barefeats results (where they showed 1900XT beats 8800GT in all tests except games). 8800GT is now better prized but historically ATI cards have been better supported and good for video and graphics production (colors for example). It doesn't look like 10.5.3 added much to its performance (Haven't heard from anyone, esp on macrumors forums where you will get a thread very soon if it was so). Having seen 1900XT results, I am getting more inclined now to buy 3870, esp when the price is comparable (except that nvidia cards have huge rebates right now). [EDIT]: what exactly is their support? I mean in terms of drivers, performance? How does apple drivers compare to ati supported drivers. The 8000GT for a Windows computer is a better buy, but for a Mac, I couldn't tell you. I would wait for benchmarks to come if there's any. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782098 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 It's faster than the 8800GT in Core Image, very slightly slower in games. Bare Feats Core Image Test Bare Feats Mac Games Test Bare Feats PC Games Test Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782151 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 13, 2008 Author Share Posted June 13, 2008 It's faster than the 8800GT in Core Image, very slightly slower in games.Bare Feats Core Image Test Bare Feats Mac Games Test Bare Feats PC Games Test Great results. I am not into PC gaming, so I dont give that a damn about. Now another question. Do ATI provide Mac OS X drivers for this card or is it just supported by recent OS X kexts natively? If ATI provides the drivers, can't one just buy a 3870 for PC card version and use ATI drivers to run it, rather than buying this specific version. I am thinking of cost-wise as I know this special edition card is costlier than the regular PC version (usual $150 after rebates; check newegg). Other than that, the specs says its optimized watts per performance and few other stuff. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782301 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 ATI only provides the drivers and updates until the G5 x1900. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 ATI only provides the drivers and updates until the G5 x1900. ATI is going to provide drivers for this card. Apparently, apple won't sell it as bto. One of the Macrumor forums member says ATI has done that before - an aftermarket ATI card with Mac support but not available from apple. they will provide drivers. http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=499367 Xlr8yourmac has an early review as well. http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/ATI_38...w.html#storytop Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782798 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 As of right now there are no drivers for it under ATIs site. Didn't say there wouldn't be. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782817 Share on other sites More sharing options...
apowerr Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 For OSx86 users: don't hesitate to get a plain old 3870, natit works perfectly. The most painless video installation ever Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782836 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macgirl Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Could you dump ROM from those cards? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 Could you dump ROM from those cards? Thats what I was thinking about. That should be really do-able. The price is fairly balanced without rebates but still why not save 50 bucks or so if possible. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-782973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekton Posted June 22, 2008 Share Posted June 22, 2008 Anyone seen these around yet? Nothing in Akihabara Tokyo yesterday. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-792808 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 23, 2008 Author Share Posted June 23, 2008 Anyone seen these around yet? Nothing in Akihabara Tokyo yesterday. I think it was end of june. I am waiting for it badly! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-793691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VooD Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 For OSx86 users: don't hesitate to get a plain old 3870, natit works perfectly. The most painless video installation ever I heard 3870 have temperature issues in osx86. But I don't know how bad they are. I guess people is refering to the fact 3870 "speed-step" function is missing in osx and so the gpu always runs at max speed. Do you know anything about? I was considering to buy one of those fanless 3870 but I read somewhere it wasn't a good idea to use them in osx86 due to that. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-799820 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 I heard 3870 have temperature issues in osx86. But I don't know how bad they are. I guess people is refering to the fact 3870 "speed-step" function is missing in osx and so the gpu always runs at max speed. Do you know anything about? I was considering to buy one of those fanless 3870 but I read somewhere it wasn't a good idea to use them in osx86 due to that. I was not familiar with that. I too would like to know about that. May be someone here would illuminate us more on that. Does having official support from ATI for 3870 card for mac will help in this scenario? I mean does their drivers/kexts help with this problem if it is serious! On a same note, how is fan on GPU controlled. I mean what system componenets (kexts etc) control that. Since many of the unsupported cards work pretty good in OSX86, I am wondering what components control fan speed. Is it hardware based? One solution might be to hook up GPU fan to external fan speed controller. bump the thread... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-800937 Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddymalec Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I have an overclocked version of the 3870 and I am up and running 10.5.2. It hums along but I havent had any problems with it. Everything works real nicely with it. I just downloaded the mac graphics update and it solved a few little quirks that I was dealing with. All in all I think it works pretty damn good. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-800961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VooD Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Os X seems to control my x1950 Pro fans with no problem. In fact the fan is less noisy than in windows in 2d mode, but properly speeds up when I use 3d graphics. Here's where I read about temperature/fan problems with 3870 http://theflee.nfshost.com/?q=node/11 On the other hand buddymalec can you try if you are able to control your 3870 fan/speed in Windows with ATITool. I use to underclock and lower the fan speed in Windows with that if I plan not using the GPU for a while (less noise, less power consumption). Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-802054 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Os X seems to control my x1950 Pro fans with no problem. In fact the fan is less noisy than in windows in 2d mode, but properly speeds up when I use 3d graphics. Here's where I read about temperature/fan problems with 3870 http://theflee.nfshost.com/?q=node/11 On the other hand buddymalec can you try if you are able to control your 3870 fan/speed in Windows with ATITool. I use to underclock and lower the fan speed in Windows with that if I plan not using the GPU for a while (less noise, less power consumption). hummm! Lets wait for ATI official card for mac and see if those cards have better support. I wont mind spending more money to get some peace of mind. and I came to understand that this 3870 is better tweaked in hardware than the el cheapo pc version we are seeing on market. Its already end of June. When the hell they are going to release on market? Damn I have waited too long! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-802305 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VooD Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 After a bit of researching I think an 8800GT is a better invest. Better compatibility (just installa nvinject.kext), better performance than hd3870 and just marginally worse power usage. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-803482 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 It would depend on the price. The 3870 goes as low as $130, but for a short while, the 8800GT goes for $145. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-803531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
VooD Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Well, that's a little difference taking in mind you get a more compatible and faster card. In Spain the cheapest 3870 I can find is 129€ (Sapphire HD3870), the cheapest 8800gt 144€ (Asus EN8800GT/G/HTDP) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-803617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 No, not a big difference at all. But if you're on a tight tight budget, not much you can do. I would just say {censored} the 8800GT, and try to get the $200 for the 9800GTX. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-803624 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LioNEXT Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Well, that's a little difference taking in mind you get a more compatible and faster card. In Spain the cheapest 3870 I can find is 129€ (Sapphire HD3870), the cheapest 8800gt 144€ (Asus EN8800GT/G/HTDP) The reason I find 3870 appealing is that traditionally they have gotten better support from apple. Look at barefeats results with 1900xt vs 8800gt and the former beats the latter in most of the tests (except gaming). I have heard not only that, the general UI response of the system is much buttery with the ati cards. and i can attest that at many place like for example opening dashboard for first time, dock first time, application stack folder first time, and you will see jerky response (with 8600gt that i have right now). for graphics work, ati is much better. now only if we could sense apple's direction and see if they have fell in love more with nvidia these days. then getting 8800gt may be a better choice. but honestly, right now dont know which will get the better support, now that they are working on OpenCL and LLVM approach as well (I may not understand a lot of these, but I got a gist of what they are trying to achieve with these approaches). Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/110283-amd-unveils-radeon-hd-3870-for-mac-pc/#findComment-803779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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