Sub $100 Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 3600 and 3400 Series
by Derek Wilson on January 23, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
DisplayPort and Hybrid Graphics
DisplayPort is basically a next step from DVI. HDMI has definitely emerged as the next connection standard in CE devices, but is not suited to the evolving needs of the PC market. The underlying design of DisplayPort is an extensible micro-packet based communication method with an auxiliary channel that will allow displays to more highly integrate with the PCs to which they are connected.
Daisy chaining devices is supported, which could allow multiple monitors to be plugged into the same computer to replicate the display. Future versions of DisplayPort will even support things like multiple video streams over a single physical connection. Some of the other cool features that current graphics cards might not take advantage of are the ability to send 16 bit per component data over the cable. Quad HD resolutions are also in the works while resolutions of 2560x1600 are supported currently.
While AMD's adoption leads a real need for it, having the ability to support DisplayPort in a market that plans on moving in that direction is a logical step. We should see adapters to single-link DVI and HDMI available, whereas converters would be needed for dual-link DVI and analog VGA. Connector change is always difficult, and hopefully the move to DisplayPort will be the last in a while and we can move away from the HD-15 and multitude of different DVI connectors once and for all. Of course, at this point, card venders will still need to choose to put DisplayPort connectors on their boards.
The lower end 3400 line will support Hybrid Graphics. This essentially allows AMD on-board and add-in cards to work together to render graphics. During 2D or low power operation, the on-board graphics will be used. When more horsepower is needed, the Radeon HD 3450 or 3470 will be able to work together with the on-board graphics chip to render the scene faster. This means owners of AMD boards with built in graphics will get more for their money when the buy a cheap graphics card.
While two times garbage is just more trash, we'll have to test this out ourselves to see if it enables the use of any more features, higher resolutions, or significantly smoother framerates. We wouldn't expect miracles, but if this offers a tangible benefit to consumers with low end hardware it's certainly a good thing.
AMD touts Hybrid Graphics as also offering lower power, quieter operation, and four monitor support in addition to the potential for faster graphics on low end systems. I don't know that we'll be recommending this solution for gamers, but it might be nice of an HTPC user who wants quiet operation, good video playback, and the potential to play a few games here and there.
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murphyslabrat - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
However, sometimes a few whiffs of aluminum and a 30mm fan can be a cheaper way to achieve a certain BTU rating than pure aluminum. However, you can be assured that there will be passively cooled models, but they'll just cost a wee bit more.All in all, this is essentially what I was expecting. Nothing really new, just shrunken a little and given a more efficient naming scheme. Let's hear it for AMD.
themadmilkman - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
The extra price is certainly worth it to me. I guess more than anything I'm hoping that the passively-cooled version isn't too large. A 1-slot solution would be ideal.I guess we'll see on Monday.
themadmilkman - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
It looks like the 3450 is a half-height card, or at least available as one? And available passively cooled stock. I can imagine that becoming very popular with the HTPC crowd.legoman666 - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
indeed. If a 8800GT can be passively cooled, then these cards can be passively cooled.Sunrise089 - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
I though you were gone from AI Derek - it seems like Anand has written all the recent GPU articles.Looking forward to the dual-3870 card review any hour now...
Furen - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
If rumors are right, try next monday :PTechLuster - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
Yeah, the Inquirer is reporting a delay to next Monday.However, Tom's Hardware "mistakenly" posted their review a couple hours ago, but they've since taken it down. The only benchmarks I got a chance to look at were of Crysis, where the 3870 X2 was leading the 8800 Ultra on high settings w/ no AA. Here are the numbers they got:
1680x1050:
3780 X2: 33.3
8800 Ultra: 32.6
8800 GTS 512: 30.4
3870: 23.3
1920x1200:
3870 X2: 29.6
8800 Ultra: 27.1
8800 GTS 512: 25.5
3870: 19.2
They also gave figures with AA (which typically doesn't and didn't in this case favor the R600 architecture), but these generally weren't playable, and Crysis is a game that looks OK without AA. Considering that Crysis tends to favor the 8800 over the 3800 by more than the average disparity between these cards, I think these numbers bode well for the 3870 X2.
I kind of figured at the time that the review would probably be taken down, and I considered opening all the windows in tabs so that I'd have all the info before it disappeared. Now I'm kicking myself. Oh well, it's five more days.
- Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
There is a review here: http://www.fpslabs.com/reviews/video/amd-radeon-hd...">http://www.fpslabs.com/reviews/video/amd-radeon-hd...shabby - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
I thought crossfire didnt work on crysis yet, so the 3870x2 should only be as fast as one 3870.Btw how do these new cards differ from the 2400/2600, or are they just renamed ones?
JarredWalton - Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - link
Derek's not gone... he just doesn't respond well to pneumonia (among other things). Welcome back to the land of the living - try to stick around a while!