A cost-efficient Graphics card for common pc users (ATI Radeon HD 3470)

Member Name: Gladiator007

Product:	ATI Radeon HD 3470
Date:	06/03/09 (833 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: HDMI compatibility, useful features, extensive connectivity options

Disadvantages: This is not a GAMING graphics card .

WHY WE NEED A GRAPHICS CARD?

Do we the normal pc users, need a graphics card? We have to spend some extra pounds to get a decent graphics card for our system. So is it a luxury or necessity for pc users?


Because, a dedicated graphics card usually does not come with the basic PC or laptops. We have to buy it additionally and a decent graphics card cost us more than £60 pounds(considering the price of HD 3470 as benchmark). It is not that much cheap as well. Now days, high street electronics shops already provide a built-in graphics card with any system. And to be honest, it serves the purpose as well but to the very minimum level. Because, built in graphics card are not that much powerful and strong, and cannot offer high resolution and inclusive viewing satisfaction to the consumers.

So the answer is yes, we undeniably need a Graphics card for our system, for better resolution and to enjoy a high quality video playback and multimedia fun. AMD has launched the AMD ATI Radeon HD 3470 at the end of last January, 2008. It is the successor of HD2000 series, as this HD 2000 series gravely lacked in some important features such as HD viewing compatibility. That is why, AMD launched this new HD3470 , with added features and improved configuration.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION & TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS


HD 3470 is not an exceptional or brilliant graphics card to be honest. It is much better to have in your PC, rather not having any graphics card at all. It's has been manufactured in 55nm size, which is reasonably very small and useful for less heat consumption. The core clock speed is 800 MHz and the Memory clock speed is massive 1.90GHz. What I really be pleased about HD3470 is, it has a huge memory clock speed, it will allow the graphics Processor unit performs faster than earlier models. It will make the data processing speed of your PC much quicker. It's also supports both OPENGL 2.0 and DirectX 10.1 version, allows higher graphics quality and more quality resolution.

Accompanying with unified video decoder, it will allow the viewers to enjoy high quality pictures and movies both in Blu-ray and also in DVDs. This graphics card is certainly able to play the HD-DVD and blu-ray in full 1080p resolution smoothly with wide-ranging interactive menus.


CONNECTIVITY

This HD3470 graphics card comes with extensive connectivity options. Such as
1. Two free display controllers.
2. Full High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) support.
3. Both VGA and DVI outputs.
4. S-video output.


ADVANTAGES

1. Very high quality video supports such as ability to play both Blu-ray and HD in high 1080p resolution.
2. Offers much more helpful features than previous models.
3. Manufactured on 55nm technology provides less heat consumption and faster processing speed.
4. Fully supports DirectX 10.1 version works best with windows Vista SP1 and also compatible with other operating systems.
5. Supports both 64-bit DDR2 and DDR3 memory interface, enables high speed data transfer facility 800MHZ max. For DDR2 and more up to 1600MHz for DDR3.
6. Dedicated hardware decoding acceleration facility for various types of video playback such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX video formats.
7. Unified Video decoder (UVD) lets the user to enjoy H.264/AVC, and also high definition playback ability for both blu-ray and HD-DVD formats.
8. Two dedicated display controllers allow two display works simultaneously with similar performance and resolution rate in the same time, remarkable isn't it?


LIMITATIONS

As HD3470 graphics card is utterly not suitable for high spec games or 3D animation program. It is not a gaming card for sure. Although it supports cross-fire technology, might allows you get a decent graphics resolution with minimum frame-rate but wont going to satisfy the gamers.


MY PERSONAL THOUGHT

There is no doubt that it is very handy and useful add on hardware for our daily PC system..It has amazing ability of HD video playback and also got extensive connectivity options. Still it is an entry level graphics card, which is much more suitable normal users. But in case of 3D animation, web designing and playing high spec games, it definitely does not give you any support. It's strictly launched to facilitate the consumers to enjoy high quality video playback in their PC and high quality resolution rate. But it will definitely improve your PC speed and resolution (up to 2560 x 1600) comparing most of the on-board built in graphics card integrated in motherboards. Above all, it is relatively smaller in size, and has a small cooler fan on top. In a result it is very much quiet and will definitely not make any irritating noise.


It comes with very useful features such as Avivo HD Technology; ATI Power Play technology facilitates the system to achieve higher resolution rate, constant monitoring the GPU activity and also adjusting the clock speed. It also allows the user to monitor and control the central thermal management, as the user can take effective steps from overheating the card.

My opinion is, if you are not a hardcore gamer or programmer, and did not buy any graphics card before for your system, please go and buy it. It costs around £60, and worth your every penny. A very decent graphics card with some fabulous features, I say go for it you will not be disappointed.


©Gladiator007

Summary: It definitely worth every penny,and also provide some very useful features. Highly recommended

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