best upgrade for around $100

[blanketyblank]

I got a promotional email from paypal for $100 for using their bill me later feature.
I want to use it on a nice upgrade, but not sure what is the best bang for the buck upgrade I can get. I'm posting in video cards since I have a feeling a new video card will boost my performance the most at this price.
I want to upgrade for as cheap as possible with the $100 off, but I don't mind selling old components as well.

edit: noticed system was already in my sig.
the 4850 is a 512 Mb one, and my PSU is an Antec NeoPower 550 so should be enough to power a second card.

 

[Winterpool]

This is tough. A month or two ago, the obvious choice would have been to get another HD 4850 on sale (circa $100) to run CrossFire. Now your best ATi option round that price rang is the HD 4770... I think Newegg has a single HD 4850 model left!

I suppose you could sell the HD 4850 and use the proceeds with your credit for either a HD 4890 or a Radeon HD 58xx (perhaps in a little while after 40nm yields improve and prices drop?)...

 

[happy medium]

Buy a open box 4850 1gb for 95$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...435R-_-Product

 

[ChorniyVolk]

This is tough. A month or two ago, the obvious choice would have been to get another HD 4850 on sale (circa $100) to run CrossFire. Now your best ATi option round that price rang is the HD 4770... I think Newegg has a single HD 4850 model left!

I suppose you could sell the HD 4850 and use the proceeds with your credit for either a HD 4890 or a Radeon HD 58xx (perhaps in a little while after 40nm yields improve and prices drop?)...

MSRP before the craziness on the 5850 was $280, and going off of ebay prices he could maybe sell the 4850 for $80, then subtract the $100 and you've got another $100 to pay. I doubt the 58XX series is in his price range.

4890 is good though.

But then again, what do I know.

 

[blanketyblank]

thanks I'll look into the 4890. open box 4850 seems to be sold out, and not sure I want to risk getting an open box since not sure how to return stuff with the promo if it goes bad.

Just noticed a few other cards that hover around my budget.
Would the 4860 or 5770 even be an upgrade?
I've looked at some benchmarks, but can't really tell since they don't compare them to the 4850 512 anymore. I've heard 5750 is slower than a 4870, but not sure where that puts it compared with a 4850. Haven't seen any benchmarks of the 4860, but from what I've seen looks like it's about the same speed as the 4850 with 0 overclocking headroom.

 

[EnzoLT]

im in the similar boat as the op. i got an hd 4830 however. was planning on going crossfire for like $65 but still thinking about it.

hd5750 would be a side upgrade for you since they are around the same performance similar to 5770 and 4870. as for the 4860, havent seen any benches but its just a stripped down 4890. logically, it would be put between 4850 and 4870.

i say just sell the 4850 and get a 4890. i wish i had that $100 too so i can get me a 4890 as well, lol.

 

[s44]

Wait. Vidcard pricing is at the worst point in years.

 

[blanketyblank]

I agree with that if you can wait. I would have waited if not for that $100 promo. I ended up with another 5% cashback as well so the 5770 was a steal. Still need to sell off the 4850 though. Else I could use it in a new build.