MSI Radeon HD3650 review

MSI Radeon HD3650 - the latest technology at an affordable price

The last time we paid attention mainly expensive graphics card related to the hi-end segment, so today’s familiarity with the budget video card will be a sort of detente. Indeed, if we look for the expensive graphics cards, usually minus, the cheaper we will have to look for pluses, minuses because they predetermined. And, strangely enough, these are a lot of pluses, if not even more expensive than the cards. After all agree, very happy when I spent little and got a lot. However, the general slogans turn to specifics.

So, AMD Radeon HD3650 video cards have replaced graphic cards AMD Radeon HD2600Pro and AMD Radeon HD2600XT while keeping the old order prices. The main differences from the predecessors have become more subtle technological process, support for DirectX 10.1, support and Display Port interface for PCI-express 2.0. Individual paragraph mention support for AMD Radeon 3650 graphics card updated ATI CrossFire X technology, brings to link more than two cards. Here are the main characteristics of graphics cards reviewed in the table below:

Name characteristics MSI Radeon R3650-T2D512 Radeon HD2600Pro Radeon HD2600XT
Graphic processor (GPU) RV635 RV630 RV630
Number of video, MB 512256 / 512256 / 512
The width of the tyre memory bit 128128 128
Tip used video DDR3 DDR2/DDR3 DDR3/DDR4
Clock GPU frequency, 750 MHz (recommended amount - 725) 600 800
Effective frequency video, for the 1600 800 MHz DDR2
1400 2200 for DDR4
1400-1600 for DDR3
Number 120120 120 streaming processors
Number textured blocks 8 8 8
Number of blocks ROP 8 8 8
Features video and audio forces GPU H.264 / AVC, VC-1, MPEG1, MPEG2, DivX. Full HD Support
Built sound controller for voice interface for HDMI
The possibility of combining several graphics cards ATI CrossFire X ATI CrossFire
Energy Conservation Technologies ATI PowerPlay
Interfaces PCI Express 2.0-x16 / 2xDVI / HDMI / S-Video / Display Port PCI-Express x16 / 2xDVI / HDMI / S-Video

Note that the new video cards, as well as more expensive Radeon HD38×0, fully supports ATI AVIVO HD technology. Recall that it includes technology UVD (Unified Video Decoder), which greatly facilitates the processing of high-definition video, such as Blue-Ray and HD-DVD. Thus, this video card will be a perfect billet for home cinema. It seems like, especially all the new items we have listed, so turning to the specific video card - MSI R3650-T2D512.

MSI Radeon HD3650 BOX

Video MSI R3650-T2D512 comes in a small carton. Despite the modest size, Front box contains quite a lot of information, including key features video card. A similar picture is for the company MSI.

MSI Radeon HD3650 BOX

At obratnoystorone also many boxes of information, including, and there is mention of support for the video card technology ATI CrossFire X. Recall that the process is able to combine ligament in more than two cards.

Complect.jpg

Complete set contains all the necessary video card:

* S-video adapter> S + composite-video output (tulip);
* S-video adapter> Component out;
* S-video cable with two connectors such as “Dad”;
* DVI adapter> D-sub;
* CD with drivers;
* Install Guide video card.

VGA_under_corner.jpg

VGA_front.jpg

Video MSI R3650-T2D512 went small, that the owners will appreciate the close of shells. However, the design board is very close to the reference. Incidentally, the video card was subjected to disperse the factory at 25 MHz for graphics processing. Funny, of course, but it helped make the registry MSI “OC” at the end of the marking graphics card.

VGA_rear.jpg

The other side contains four graphics card memory chip, which form half of the volume video set on the video card. Another part of the memory is located on the front of the video card. Also turn its attention to the crossing, which is part of the cooling system mounting, and the benefits of which, in this case in question. The fact is that, on the one hand, the crossing should provide stiffness board and, ideally, pressure on the plateau in front of the location of the crystal graphic processor, thereby providing a reliable contact with its cooling system and preventing its distortions. On the other hand, rigid printed circuit board is enough to keep a light cooling system, but not crossing contact with the site opposite the crystal graphic processor. Therefore, the existence of such a “bonus” should be treated more as ornaments to, rather than as a necessity.

PCB_and_cooler.jpg

Cooling system based video small. That proved to be sufficient because of low heat release a new graphics processing RV635.

PCB_front.jpg

A similar fee is already applied printed company MSI in its previous products. Near the corner of the graphic processor faces four video chip, 256 MB forming. The remaining 256 Mb located on the back of the video card.

VRAM_chip.jpg

Memory chips produced company Qimonda and are being 1.0 ns sample, which corresponds to the frequency of 2000 MHz. The real speed video work less - 1600 MHz.

Cooler.jpg

Radiator cooling system completely painted in golden color and contact with a graphic chip with the help of a viscous mass of thermally conducting grey, popularly called “termozhvachkoy”.

The effectiveness of the cooling system

Check the effectiveness of the cooling system, we will have traditionally through the game Oblivion, a customized for maximum quality, and programs Riva Tuner.

RT_temp.jpg

When measuring temperature values changed rebounded, reaching, in the end, 57 degrees. It is not bad, though predictably for such “cold” chip. But it is noteworthy that the cooling system was far from quiet, but loud it not be called, so it is - a small minus novelty. Also, we note the excellent work of energy conservation technology ATI PowerPlay, which in times of low load on the graphics card reduces its frequency to 110 / 800 MHz processor for graphic and video respectively. It seems like, all, let us now turn to the most interesting - and directly discuss methods of testing itself.

Details of how testing

Agree that it would be foolish to test on the budget videocard settings, which we use for testing expensive high-performance graphics cards. And just understate preferences only to test and report only, is not the case. It is one thing to do - come to the issue creatively and lower those settings, which will increase the maximum speed and minimum influence on the quality of the image. So, we test expensive graphics card settings for maximum quality in games, so will list only those parameters that we have changed.

Call of Duty Game 4:
Shadows: no
Soften Smoke Edges: no

This has been quite enough to raise the speed in the game more than comfortable “level of gameplay.”

Game Call of Juarez
Quality shadows: average
Size shadows: 1024
The quality of the material: the average
Texture Quality: Average
The quality of the foliage: average
Enchanted quality: off (available only in DX10 mode)

The game Need for Speed Carbon
Car reflection update: off
Motion blur: off

The game Need for Speed Pro Street Racing
Shadows on the Road: average
Effects route: minimally
Effects of cars: disabled
Smoke: disabled

The game Crysis, we used the average quality setting, in the game Oblivion - also reduced to medium quality settings, but left the “features” included specific for better treatment, such as HDR (dynamic lighting). Options Prey quality in the game, we did not change, since the game “to the teeth” virtually all modern graphics cards. By the way, most of the departed head in the game Crysis testing, we conducted in-built test, and not SmrtFPS.com utilities, as before. We had to do so because the utility SmartFPS.com replaces the game on their own preferences, which, of course, unacceptable to us.

Now - a few words about competitors and how we chose them. So, as the video card competitors MSI R3650-T2D512 we made Radeon HD2600XT graphics card with 256 MB of video class DDR4 and GeForce 8600GT video card with 256 MB of DDR3 class. Our choice is due retail prices graphics cards - all three charges facing roughly the same way. Will its 256 MB video card, you ask? We will respond more accurately demonstrate the example of the game Crysis middle settings:
VMem_util.jpg

Games Crysis Windows XP-required 209 MB of video, so that 256 MB nabortnoy video proved quite sufficient.

Well, let’s look at the test results!

Testing and conclusions

Before getting familiar with the results of the tests, let’s take a look at our configuration and test stand for the version used by drivers:

Test stand
Processor

Intel Core 2 Duo X6800 2.93 GHz

Motherboard

MSI 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition

RAM

Corsair XMS Xpert DDRII-800 4x 512 Mb

Operating System

Windows XP SP2 + + DirectX 9.0c / Windows Vista for DX10 tests

PSU

750 W

For Radeon graphics cards were used Catalyst 8.3 drivers for both operating systems, and for graphics card GeForce 8600GT - ForceWare drivers ForceWare 169.21 and 169.25 for Windows XP and Windows Vista, respectively. Meet results are traditionally begin with 3DMark tests:

3DMark.png

In tests 3DMark05 and 3DMark 06 videocard MSI R3650-T2D512 came in second and last place respectively. On the one hand, this looks like a loser news, and the other - the difference is too small to judge clearly. So let us look at the results of tests of game, which, incidentally, we produce from 16 - fold anisotropic filtering. Luckily, it reflected poorly influenced the speed of graphics cards.

COD4.png

The game Call of Duty 4 graphics card MSI R3650-T2D512 ranked second, predecessor Radeon HD2600XT was still faster. But surprisingly it is not because the Radeon HD2600XT markedly higher frequency than that of MSI R3650-T2D512.
COJ_DX9.png

The game Call of Juarez videocard MSI R3650-T2D512 again ranked second, but still slightly ceded GeForce 8600GT video card in the settlement of 1600×1200, but it is insignificant.

COJ_DX10_MQ.png

If you switch to a regime DirectX 10 Radeon graphics card has lost in speed, and burst forward GeForce 8600GT. However, this is the only game where graphics card from NVIDIA is the leader, so they are not going to sharpen attention. Agree that the rate of the game leaves much to be desired, so why should we not have to lower the settings?

COJ_DX10_LQ.png

Better, but still not enough. Although you say, in the resolution of 1024×768 and it is safe to play at this speed, and get pleasure from it.

Crysis.png

The game Crysis novelty from MSI (or from AMD - as you prefer) again ranked second.

Crysis_DX10_MQ.png

If you switch to a regime DirectX 10 games Crysis growing appetites, resulting in performance of all participating testing is not enough. But let’s look at performance figures in the regime of low-quality (low quality)!

Crysis_DX10_LQ.png

Just another thing! Of course, the game lost much of its beauty and was similar to the old Far Cry, but we have the opportunity to play in it comfortably.

NFS_C.png

The game Need for Speed Carbon only GeForce 8600GT looks not so, and both exhibit a Radeon graphics card good results. Video MSI R3650-T2D512 again ranked second.

NFS_PS.png

The game Need for Speed Pro Street Racing videocard MSI R3650-T2D512 is approximately the same level as the GeForce 8600GT, and the first place Radeon HD2600XT, which favoured the bar high frequency.

Oblivion.png

The game Oblivion videocard MSI R3650-T2D512 little ceded GeForce 8600GT, but the difference is so small that it should not be seen as a victory for the latter. In fact, all video cards in this game show almost identical results.
Prey.png

The game Prey videocard MSI R3650-T2D512 loses GeForce 8600GT video card, but only with permission 1024×768. As the permission of NVIDIA graphics card delivers its position, and the novelty MSI took second place.

Conclusions

Today’s testing showed that the new video card Radeon HD3650 successful. Of course, they are a bit slower than the Radeon HD2600XT memory GDDR4, but consume less energy and, therefore, emit less heat, made possible by a slim 55 nm technological process. Besides, let us not forget about support for new graphics card interface and DirectX 10.1 Display Port, which in the future may be claimed. Overall, AMD Radeon HD3650 and specifically MSI R3650-T2D512 - relatively inexpensive and functional video cards, which are suitable for those willing to make compromises in terms of settings in games.

Pluses:

* low power consumption and heat generation;
* efficient cooling system.

Negative:

* noticeable noise from the cooling system.