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Latest post 07-13-2008 12:51 PM by News. 5 replies.
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  • 07-10-2008 9:48 AM

    • News
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    • Joined on 09-23-2007
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    Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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    Throughout most of the 1990s, Diamond Multimedia was one of the major players in the graphics card world.  Their well made cards with solid performance resulted in some of the most well known brand names of the time including the Speedstar, Stealth, and Viper.  After merging with S3 Incorporated in 1999, the resounding failure of their joint contribution: the Diamond Viper II Z200 based on S3's Savage 2000, eventually led to the combined Diamond/S3 company backing away from third-party graphics cards.

    In 2003, however, Best Data stepped in and purchased the rights to the brand name and assets from SONICblue Incorporated, including the Stealth and Viper brand names.  Focusing on ATI's Radeons as their GPU of choice, the original line-up seemed to be focused mostly on the lower-end, more mainstream cards, including the Stealth S80 we took a look at in early 2003.  The good news is, with some more time and resources under their belt, Diamond has completely revitalized the Viper name in both body and spirit.  Once again, with high-end products at the core, Diamond is a force to be reckoned with in the market.  Today, we've got two of their HD 3870's in the labs for comparison - one is mostly plain vanilla but the other is an overclocked version utilizing GDDR4 memory.  Let's get a bit more acquainted with them, shall we?

    Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB
    • Post Points: 50

  • 07-10-2008 10:41 PM In reply to

    • Super Dave
    • Top 75 Contributor
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    Re: Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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     Diamond Multimedia was one of HotHardware's sponsors in the HotHardware April Sweepstakes. Soon after that contest I remember reading a rather sad review of a Diamond Viper Radeon 3650 1GB HERE. I felt sad that the Diamond card rated so poorly in that review, but I was also proud that HotHardware pulled no punches. Now, after reading this latest review, I would consider Diamond products at the top of my list if I were in the market for a new video-graphic solution!

     SPAM-posters beware! ®
    • Post Points: 35

  • 07-10-2008 11:18 PM In reply to

    Re: Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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    I had a Diamond 9600 in a PIII build a few years ago... it did the job well enough.

    BTW: How's the search for a $300 PC for your sister in-law coming? Tiger Direct has excellent bare-bones deals!

    a cpu, a board, some ram, a gfx card, an opty, a hdd and a psu... all in a case

    • Post Points: 5

  • 07-11-2008 8:15 AM In reply to

    RE: Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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    Ive always been a fan of nvidia but considering Ati,s offerings as of recent I could be swayed to change!Always looking for the fastest and the lowest cost option.Being an enthusiast and being financially challenged Im always struggling over my wants and my actual needs,and my wants usually at least in my mind overtakes my needs.Kinda of like buying a car just cheaper!

    Current Rig Specs: Amd K7/600mhz 384mb PC133 32 mg Video Every time u see my specs you,ll love yours more!! Working on a New Rig!

     

     

     

     

     
    • Post Points: 5

  • 07-12-2008 9:09 AM In reply to

    • jtm55
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    Re: Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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    Super Dave:

     Diamond Multimedia was one of HotHardware's sponsors in the HotHardware April Sweepstakes. Soon after that contest I remember reading a rather sad review of a Diamond Viper Radeon 3650 1GB HERE. I felt sad that the Diamond card rated so poorly in that review, but I was also proud that HotHardware pulled no punches. Now, after reading this latest review, I would consider Diamond products at the top of my list if I were in the market for a new video-graphic solution!

    Hi All

    That's what I like about HH Reviews. You can count on them to give you a unbiased Review.

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  • 07-13-2008 12:51 PM In reply to

    • ice_73
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    RE: Diamond Viper Radeon HD 3870 and HD 3870 1GB

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    visiontek imo is one of the best ati board partners because of their life time warranty. diamond... well i would love to say my experience with them has been great... but it hasn't and im still awaiting a working 3870x2. my favorite brand though has to be xfx. i had to rma a card one, they upgraded me, and the rma took about a week (total.. from the time i sent in to when i got it back!).

    • Post Points: 5
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