Xmas gfx upgrade advice needed

[stefan9]

Hi guys. I am looking to upgrade my gfx card between the end of the month and the end of November as an early xmas gift for myself.

But I need some opinions. I have narrowed down my options to the ati 4850,4870 and nvidia's 9800gtx + or 260gtx.

Now I usually buy nvidia I have never had an ati. Is there any major difference I need to take into consideration?? I know about the crossfire option as opposed to sli , not really relevant haven't and don't plan to use either.

Also would any of these cards pose a major issue on my system with the 700watt aopen psu. The psu has 2 pci express power connectors and 4x12v rails with 15 a on each rail for a total output of 60a. I am only planning to buy a gfx so the card must fit with my current power capacity.

Other things to take into consideration is I play mostly rpgs and generally like to play at 1680 x 1050 with every possible settings maxxed unless the system can't handle it.

I haven't been keeping up with gfx news to last 2-3 months so is there anything in the pipeline I should wait for??

[Vanzagar]

Of the cards you've shown, I'd pick the 260gtx, get the one with 216 processing cores not the 192...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380048+1369844342&Configurator=&Subcategory=48&description=&Ntk=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

To check if you're PSU will work try here first:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

Get the new vid card, try it out, if you get BSODs, upgarde your PSU or change cards...

As for differences just check out all the benchmarks:
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=119496

As for what's coming up next check the rumours section of this forum...

Vanz

[Vanzagar]

Ah, didn;t read your part about not want to upgrade the psu, in that case do a power consumption comparison:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3354&p=8

[stefan9]

Ok guys. Narrowed it down a bit should I go for the 260gtx(normal version 216sp version isn't here yet and is going to be beyond my budget in all probability), 4870 1 gb version or get another 8800gts for sli??