CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 3850
Popular choices:
GeForce GT 330
Popular choices:
Performance Spectrum - GPU
About G3D Mark
G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Radeon HD 3850 is positioned at rank 308 and the GeForce GT 330 is on rank 260, so the GeForce GT 330 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Radeon HD 3850
Performance Per Dollar GeForce GT 330
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Radeon HD 3850 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2% higher G3D Mark score and 100% more VRAM (1 GB vs 512 MB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GT 330.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ✅Leading raw performance (+2%) | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2012 / GCN 1.0 (2012−2020)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2017 / Pascal (2016−2021)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ✅ More VRAM (+100%) | ❌ Less VRAM capacity |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The GeForce GT 330 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GT 330 holds the technical lead. Priced at $30 (vs $179), it costs 83% less, resulting in a 484.8% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+484.8%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($179) | ✅More affordable ($30) |
Performance Check
Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.
Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Radeon HD 3850 and GeForce GT 330
Radeon HD 3850
The Radeon HD 3850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in March 5 2012. It features the GCN 1.0 architecture. The boost clock speed is 1000 MHz. It has 1024 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 130W. Manufactured using 28 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 401 points. Launch price was $249.
GeForce GT 330
The GeForce GT 330 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in May 17 2017. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1228 MHz to 1468 MHz. It has 384 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 30W. Manufactured using 14 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 393 points. Launch price was $79.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 3850 scores 401 and the GeForce GT 330 reaches 393 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 3850 is built on GCN 1.0 while the GeForce GT 330 uses Pascal, both on 28 nm vs 14 nm. Shader units: 1,024 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 384 (GeForce GT 330). Raw compute: 1.761 TFLOPS (Radeon HD 3850) vs 1.127 TFLOPS (GeForce GT 330). Boost clocks: 1000 MHz vs 1468 MHz.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 401+2% | 393 |
| Architecture | GCN 1.0 | Pascal |
| Process Node | 28 nm | 14 nm |
| Shading Units | 1024+167% | 384 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.761 TFLOPS+56% | 1.127 TFLOPS |
| Boost Clock | 1000 MHz | 1468 MHz+47% |
| ROPs | 32+100% | 16 |
| TMUs | 64+167% | 24 |
| L1 Cache | 256 KB+78% | 144 KB |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| Upscaling Tech | FSR 1.0 (Software) | FSR 1.0 (Software) |
| Frame Generation | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| Ray Reconstruction | No | No |
| Low Latency | AMD Anti-Lag | Standard |
Video Memory (VRAM)
The Radeon HD 3850 comes with 1 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GT 330 has 512 MB. The Radeon HD 3850 offers 100% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB+100% | 0.5 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Memory Bandwidth | Unknown | Unknown |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB | 512 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 11.1 (10_1) (GeForce GT 330). OpenGL: 3.3 vs 3.3. Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 11.1 (10_1)+10% |
| OpenGL | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD+ vs PureVideo HD. Supported codecs: H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 (GeForce GT 330).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | — | PureVideo HD |
| Decoder | UVD+ | PureVideo HD |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,DivX,MPEG-1,MPEG-2 | H.264,MPEG-2,VC-1 |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3850 draws 130W versus the GeForce GT 330's 30W — a 125% difference. The GeForce GT 330 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon HD 3850) vs 300W (GeForce GT 330). Power connectors: 1x 6-pin vs None. Card length: 208mm vs 175mm, occupying 1 vs 1 slots. Typical load temperature: 80°C vs 80.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 130W | 30W-77% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 300W-33% |
| Power Connector | 1x 6-pin | None |
| Length | 208mm | 175mm |
| Height | — | 111mm |
| Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Temp (Load) | 80°C | 80 |
| Perf/Watt | 3.1 | 13.1+323% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3850 launched at $179 MSRP and currently averages $179, while the GeForce GT 330 launched at $99 and now averages $30. The GeForce GT 330 costs 83.2% less ($149 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.2 (Radeon HD 3850) vs 13.1 (GeForce GT 330) — the GeForce GT 330 offers 495.5% better value. The GeForce GT 330 is the newer GPU (2017 vs 2012).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 | GeForce GT 330 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179 | $99-45% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $179 | $30-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.2 | 13.1+495% |
| Codename | Pitcairn | GP108 |
| Release | March 5 2012 | May 17 2017 |
| Ranking | #503 | #641 |
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