I have $400 for a new video card.....

[musman]

I have $400 for a new video card, what do I buy? I have a 4850 now, want to upgrade. I could go ether way ATI or Nvidia, don't matter to me.

Thanks!

[methimpikehoses]

I would go 2 GTX 260's, or a 285 if you don't want SLI.

[Dr.Nick]

You could always just add another 4850? Is that a 1GB card? Should be a nice boost and very easy on the wallet. If you game at 1650 a GTX260/4870 (or 4850CF) will run pretty much anything like butter.

[musman]

You could always just add another 4850? Is that a 1GB card? Should be a nice boost and very easy on the wallet. If you game at 1650 a GTX260/4870 (or 4850CF) will run pretty much anything like butter.

I could but FSX runs worse in Crossfire and SLI, from what I hear anyway. the 4870X2 looks really nice.

[musman]

You could always just add another 4850? Is that a 1GB card? Should be a nice boost and very easy on the wallet. If you game at 1650 a GTX260/4870 (or 4850CF) will run pretty much anything like butter.

It's the 512MB 4850

[kazna]

The 4870x2 rules the $400 segment.

XFX double lifetime warranty, and its cheaper than the Sapphire version.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150349

[Blacklash]

You have a 22" LCD? Consider another HD 4850 for Crossfire and OC them a bit. If you want to stick with ATi the mentioned XFX HD 4870 X2 is also a good card.

If you want something from the nVidia side look at overclocking GTX Core 216 SLi,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127430

That card is 655|2100 out of the box and is 160usd with rebate. Two would be 360 without rebate and 320 with. They would handle a 1680x res with ease.

I'd look at overclocking a GTX 275 or HD 4890 if you want to avoid multi-GPU. They are in the 230-260 price range.

[CaptNKILL]

If you want to try multi-GPU, try GTX 260 (216 core) SLI, like Blacklash said.

If you want the best single-GPU no strings attached performance, get a GTX 285.

If you aren't going SLI you should grab a 9800GT or 9600GSO (96SP version) for a Physx processor.

[methimpikehoses]

If you want to try multi-GPU, try GTX 260 (216 core) SLI, like Blacklash said.


I said it too! :cry:

[CaptNKILL]

I said it too! :cry:

You don't count. :afro2:

[K007]

Wait for GT300/HD5xxx series.

[Tr1cK]

I agree with waiting unless the 4850 just can't cut it anymore. I've been tempted to ditch mine a few times, but it still runs all what I want pretty well.

[musman]

the 4850 is a good card, i probably should just get another one. They don't make my exact card anymore, this is the replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814127401 I'm sure its the same card just with different cooling. I really don't want this card because the fan runs at 100% all the time and there is no way to slow it down. Can I use any 4850 512mb card to do crossfire with my existing card?

[musman]

The 4870 X2 is what I'm drooling for right now but i have doubts my 600watt PSU is up to the task.

[K007]

the 4850 is a good card, i probably should just get another one. They don't make my exact card anymore, this is the replacement. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814127401 I'm sure its the same card just with different cooling. I really don't want this card because the fan runs at 100% all the time and there is no way to slow it down. Can I use any 4850 512mb card to do crossfire with my existing card?

yea there is. just use the ati cp to turn fan speed down. the 4870 i have at 100% is insane loud, at 35% its much much quieter than the 7950gx2 i had, and the temps are max 50ishC in crysis.

when in idle i have it sitting at 25%.

would not use ati card if fan at 100% is what u want, 35% is more than enuf to bring temps down.

[Kemo]

I'll make it easier:

ATI/AMD=Image quality
nVidia=Performance

based on my experience that's a true statement.

Have some patience. New 45nm ATI cards are due this Summer and from nvidia this Fall. Patience is key when shopping for video cards. I paid $650 for one 8800 GTX (at release) and $250 for another one 2 years later.

[musman]

I'll make it easier:

ATI/AMD=Image quality
nVidia=Performance

based on my experience that's a true statement.

Have some patience. New 45nm ATI cards are due this Summer and from nvidia this Fall. Patience is key when shopping for video cards. I paid $650 for one 8800 GTX (at release) and $250 for another one 2 years later.

Did you mean performance as in compatibility issues & driver support?

I paid $200 for my 4850 when they first hit, not the replacement is like $125 or so, its just the way computer equipment goes.

[XDanger]

GTX275 for $250 with a mid range for Physx

Wait a while for the price to drop on the 275 then sell the midrange and get another and sli.



Or just 1 GTX275, Its a great card ,Best nvidia price performance ratio atm imo.

I don't think $150 is a good price to pay for an extra 2fps that you get with a GTX285

[musman]

GTX275 for $250 with a mid range for Physx

Wait a while for the price to drop on the 275 then sell the midrange and get another and sli.



Or just 1 GTX275, Its a great card ,Best nvidia price performance ratio atm imo.

I don't think $150 is a good price to pay for an extra 2fps that you get with a GTX285

What do you mean by "a mid range for Physx"? I'm looking at the GTX275 right now.

[Maverick123w]

I would wait for the next gen cards. I have 1/4 the system power you have and just now decided my 8800 GTS 320 wasn't up to snuff and I'm gaming @ 1920x1080

[musman]

I have a feeling these new cards that are coming out are going to be ungodly expensive. The GTX-275 is looking good for several reasons.

#1 A lot of people on the FSX forums (I play FSX a lot) are using this or similar cards.
#2 It has OpenGL 3.0 support.
#3 I have been told these are better for Physx, too be honest I'm not really sure how important that is lol.

#4 Price

[CaptNKILL]

The 275 has 240 shader processors so that will help in Physx games.

For $250 it seems like a pretty good buy, though the GTX 260 216 is SO cheap right now... you can get one for like $180.

I don't think you can go wrong with either card right now, but because of Physx I'm finding it harder to recommend anything but an nvidia card anymore. It is slowly catching on and its usage in games is very noticeable.

Cryostasis is probably going to help Physx a lot more than nvidia anticipated. Its a damned cool game and I think a lot of gamers are going to want to make it run and look as good as possible... which includes buying a faster nvidia card.

[musman]

The 275 has 240 shader processors so that will help in Physx games.

For $250 it seems like a pretty good buy, though the GTX 260 216 is SO cheap right now... you can get one for like $180.

I don't think you can go wrong with either card right now, but because of Physx I'm finding it harder to recommend anything but an nvidia card anymore. It is slowly catching on and its usage in games is very noticeable.

Cryostasis is probably going to help Physx a lot more than nvidia anticipated. Its a damned cool game and I think a lot of gamers are going to want to make it run and look as good as possible... which includes buying a faster nvidia card.

Is the GTX-260 a good improvement from a 4850? the Physx is really cool, from what I read anyway. If I went for the GTX-275, is it worth getting the 1792MB version? It's $309 on the egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130476

[CaptNKILL]

I wouldn't bother with the 1792Mb version. That seems like overkill to me.

Its a tough choice between the 275 and the 260-216. If you're considering SLI, go with the 260. SLI with 260s would cost about $150 less than SLI with 275s.

If you're sticking with a single card and plan on keeping it for a while, I think the 275 is probably the best choice.

With GT300 a few months away I'm finding it hard to be real enthusiastic about any cards that are available now. That thing is going to be a monster. :D

[musman]

Well I just bought a EVGA GTX-285. Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480