CPU
GPU
Radeon HD 3850 X2
Popular choices:
Quadro FX 3800
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 X2 is positioned at rank 303 and the Quadro FX 3800 is on rank 347, so the Radeon HD 3850 X2 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 X2
Performance Per Dollar Quadro FX 3800
Performance Comparison
About G3D Mark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
The Quadro FX 3800 is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 0.2% higher G3D Mark score. This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the Radeon HD 3850 X2.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ❌Lower raw frame rates (-0.2%) | ✅Leading raw performance (+0.2%) |
| Longevity | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2011 / TeraScale 2 (2009−2015)) | 🛑Obsolete Architecture (2008 / Tesla 2.0 (2007−2013)) |
| Ecosystem | Supports FSR Upscaling | Supports FSR Upscaling |
| VRAM | ❌ Less VRAM capacity | ✅ More VRAM (+0%) |
| Efficiency | ⚡ Higher Power Consumption | 💡 Excellent Perf/Watt |
| Case Fit | Standard Size (267mm) | 📏 Compact / SFF Friendly |
💎 Value Proposition
The Quadro FX 3800 offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Quadro FX 3800 holds the technical lead. Priced at $20 (vs $349), it costs 94% less, resulting in a 1649.2% higher cost efficiency score.
| Insight | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌Lower cost efficiency | ✅Better overall value (+1649.2%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️Higher upfront cost ($349) | ✅More affordable ($20) |
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 X2 and Quadro FX 3800
Radeon HD 3850 X2
The Radeon HD 3850 X2 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in September 19 2011. It features the TeraScale 2 architecture. The core clock speed is 800 MHz. It has 960 ×2 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 254W. Manufactured using 40 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 822 points.
Quadro FX 3800
The Quadro FX 3800 is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in November 11 2008. It features the Tesla 2.0 architecture. The core clock speed is 610 MHz. It has 240 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 189W. Manufactured using 55 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 824 points. Launch price was $3,499.
Graphics Performance
The Radeon HD 3850 X2 scores 822 and the Quadro FX 3800 reaches 824 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 0.2% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The Radeon HD 3850 X2 is built on TeraScale 2 while the Quadro FX 3800 uses Tesla 2.0, both on 40 nm vs 55 nm. Shader units: 960 (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 240 (Quadro FX 3800). Raw compute: 1.536 TFLOPS ×2 (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 0.6221 TFLOPS (Quadro FX 3800).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| G3D Mark Score | 822 | 824 |
| Architecture | TeraScale 2 | Tesla 2.0 |
| Process Node | 40 nm | 55 nm |
| Shading Units | 960 ×2+300% | 240 |
| Compute (TFLOPS) | 1.536 TFLOPS ×2+147% | 0.6221 TFLOPS |
| ROPs | 32 ×2 | 32 |
| TMUs | 48 ×2 | 80+67% |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| 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)
Both cards feature 1 GB of GDDR5. Bus width: 128-bit vs 64-bit. L2 Cache: 512 KB (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 256 KB (Quadro FX 3800) — the Radeon HD 3850 X2 has significantly larger on-die cache to reduce VRAM reliance.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| VRAM Capacity | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Memory Type | GDDR5 | GDDR5 |
| Bus Width | 128-bit+100% | 64-bit |
| L2 Cache | 512 KB+100% | 256 KB |
Display & API Support
DirectX support: 10.1 (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 10_0 (Quadro FX 3800). Maximum simultaneous displays: 2 vs 2.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| DirectX | 10.1 | 10_0 |
| Max Displays | 2 | 2 |
Media & Encoding
Decoder: UVD+ vs PureVideo HD.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | — | PureVideo HD |
| Decoder | UVD+ | PureVideo HD |
| Codecs | H.264,VC-1,MPEG-2 | — |
Power & Dimensions
The Radeon HD 3850 X2 draws 254W versus the Quadro FX 3800's 189W — a 29.3% difference. The Quadro FX 3800 is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 450W (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 350W (Quadro FX 3800). Power connectors: 2x 6-pin vs PCIe-powered. Card length: 267mm vs 1mm, occupying 2 vs 1 slots.
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| TDP | 254W | 189W-26% |
| Recommended PSU | 450W | 350W-22% |
| Power Connector | 2x 6-pin | PCIe-powered |
| Length | 267mm | 1mm |
| Slots | 2 | 1-50% |
| Temp (Load) | 90°C | — |
| Perf/Watt | 3.2 | 4.4+38% |
Value Analysis
The Radeon HD 3850 X2 launched at $349 MSRP and currently averages $349, while the Quadro FX 3800 launched at $799 and now averages $20. The Quadro FX 3800 costs 94.3% less ($329 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 2.4 (Radeon HD 3850 X2) vs 41.2 (Quadro FX 3800) — the Quadro FX 3800 offers 1616.7% better value. The Radeon HD 3850 X2 is the newer GPU (2011 vs 2008).
| Feature | Radeon HD 3850 X2 | Quadro FX 3800 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $349-56% | $799 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $349 | $20-94% |
| Performance per Dollar | 2.4 | 41.2+1617% |
| Codename | Barts | GT200B |
| Release | September 19 2011 | November 11 2008 |
| Ranking | #630 | #815 |
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