A question that has set everybody's teeth on edge! WHAT TO GET?

[Stremik]

I need advice!
I'm building a system primarely aimed at working with highend 3D applications (Houdini, Maya, Mirai, etc.)
Question is what would be the best choice of a graphic card?
Budget: 400$ US tops!

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

That'll put you straight into GF4 territory when it comes out in early Feb

On a more serious note, take a look at aceshardware.com, they recently reviewed workstation-class graphic cards

-Ice

 

[sc0tty8]

Radeon 8500! With the change left over, you could add ram to your machine, maybe a proc upgrade? The 8500 goes for about 250 or so for the retail made by ATI. GF cards are fuzzy and not as clear. Radeon has crisp graphics, and if your doing graphicxs, I am sure you want quality.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I need advice!
I'm building a system primarely aimed at working with highend 3D applications (Houdini, Maya, Mirai, etc.)
Question is what would be the best choice of a graphic card?
Budget: 400$ US tops! >>

I'd get a GF4, seriously, with that money. Then do some research and convert it into a Quadro.

 

[sc0tty8]

<<

<< I need advice!
I'm building a system primarely aimed at working with highend 3D applications (Houdini, Maya, Mirai, etc.)
Question is what would be the best choice of a graphic card?
Budget: 400$ US tops! >>

I'd get a GF4, seriously, with that money. Then do some research and convert it into a Quadro. >>




I wouldn't bother. Too much for a card. My limit is 300$, and that is too much. I look at it this way, a vid card should not cost any more than your board/proc/ram. It makes sence, I spent about 300 or so on my board/proc/ram.