Best value video card

[iamaelephant]

Okay so it's time for yet another upgrade and yet another week of trawling through dozens of reviews, forum threads and customer feedback posts to figure out which card is going to give me the best bang for my buck. As usual my first port of call is the Anandtech forum.

I'm only going for a new video card this time - it's unusual for me to upgrade so soon after my last one (about 8 months ago) but I recently got into Oblivion and, well, it has stolen my life. Here are my current specs:

AMD Athlon64 3500+ socket 939
1.5gb generic RAM (2x512mb 2x256mb)
MSI 7600gt 256mb

My motherboard doesn't support Crossfire/SLI. FWIW. My intention is to just upgrade my video card for the moment, and maybe a dual core CPU later on if I'm still unhappy with how Oblivion runs. I'm not fussed about the brand, I've owned ATI and nVidia cards before and never had a problem with either. I'm not looking to spend absolutely top dollar but want a good bang-for-buck card, around the US$280, give or take.

Thanks is advance for any advice

 

[mikek753]

for that money
x1950XT
then x1900xt 256 for less
and then for even less
7950GT (A/R) or x1950Pro
all that for PCIe
for AGP x1950Pro

 

[Kromis]

X1950XT wins hands down

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: mikek753
for that money
x1950XT
then x1900xt 256 for less
and then for even less
7950GT (A/R) or x1950Pro
all that for PCIe
for AGP x1950Pro

Oops, probably should have mentioned I have a PCIe mobo. Thanks for the advice so far!

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: mikek753
for that money
x1950XT
then x1900xt 256 for less
and then for even less
7950GT (A/R) or x1950Pro
all that for PCIe
for AGP x1950Pro

Oops, probably should have mentioned I have a PCIe mobo. Thanks for the advice so far!

X1950XT wins hands down

 

[mikek753]

that is the best for $
x1950xt
for $219.99 after $30.00 Mail-In Rebate

 

[VanTheMan]

I got the same response (X1950XT) when I asked. I'm also upgrading from a 7600GT. I'll probably get in on the Newegg $219 deal when I get home from work in a few hours.

Edit: How does Oblivion run for you with your 7600GT?

 

[imported_Wolfkin]

Another vote for X1950XT.

Got one myself this christmas and been playing Oblivion for a while now.
Card can handle everything, and I mean everything, on max with HDR at 1280x960 (maybe even higher) with 16x AF high quality and 4xAA.

I still get slowdowns here and there but it is due to my CPU, even at 3800+ speed (2400mhz) it is to slow for the game and this card.

 

[lopri]

If you were thinking of spending $280, save a little more and go for the 8800 GTS. 8800 series cards are built for Oblivion. Double, triple the performance of previous generation isn't uncommon.