A video card conundrum

[angry hampster]

Hey guys -- long time lurker dropping in with an inquiry.


First off, I want a new vid card with more staying power than what I've got (8600GTS). The max res that my monitor can support is 1440x900. I want to play games at the highest resolution that my monitor can support and still have AA/CSAA/AF cranked up to max.

I want to buy a graphics card under $250. I want it to run cool and quietly. Right now torn between the 8800GT 256mb and the Radeon 3870 512mb. From just about every comparo I've seen, these cards flip flop back and forth as far as performance goes -- it just depends on the individual game. XFX's $250 512mb 8800GT would be doable as well -- but the temperatures of those cards frankly just scare me. With newer chip technology, are 80-90*C load temperatures anything to worry about? I guess I could toss an accelero on it and just call it a day as well.


Opinions?

 

[darkxknight]

HD3870. quiet, cool, and will be able to handle higher res better cuz of the 512mb.

 

[SLU Aequitas]

Originally posted by: darkxknight
HD3870. quiet, cool, and will be able to handle higher res better cuz of the 512mb.

His max res is 1440x900; you don't see a major difference until after 1600x1200.

 

[angry hampster]

!! Problem solved!!

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

I called my local BB and they had one in stock, so I went and grabbed it. Out the door with the 512mb 8800GT for $220. Not bad at all.

 

[Pacfanweb]

8800GT 512. Temps are of no concern.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
8800GT 512. Temps are of no concern.

Why aren't they of any concern?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: angry hampster
!! Problem solved!!

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

I called my local BB and they had one in stock, so I went and grabbed it. Out the door with the 512mb 8800GT for $220. Not bad at all.

Excellent deal for that card IMO. Enjoy :thumbsup:

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: angry hampster
!! Problem solved!!

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

I called my local BB and they had one in stock, so I went and grabbed it. Out the door with the 512mb 8800GT for $220. Not bad at all.

Excellent deal for that card IMO. Enjoy :thumbsup:

About $80 cheaper than Newegg after shipping. An excellent deal, indeed.

Just got done playing some Crysis and so far I'm very impressed. I'm downloading the latest beta driver (169.21) and I'm gonna see how it does.

 

[Capt Caveman]

My 8800GT SSC 700/1000 is 68c at load. Temps are not an issue.