Good video cards for 200 and under on an intel based machine?

[AmineD]

Was thinking about either the 4850 or 9800gtx... not sure exactly. Mainly going to be playing Warhammer Online and doing some Photoshop/3D modeling. Is either of these cards alot better than an 8800gt? That was actually my first choice but may opt for a little bit more expensive card if they give a much greater performance increase.

 

[Foxery]

Have you checked our main site? There are reviews comparing these here.

The short answer is that both will suit your needs quite nicely at your desired price point.

 

[airhendrix13]

4850 would be my recommendation

 

[octopus41092]

HD4850, after rebates its only like $170. Also, depending on what your current card is you may be able to soft mod it into a workstation card.

 

[OCGuy]

If you want a better cooling solution and board partners, 9800GTX or GTX+. On the other hand, the card length is noticeably larger than the 4850 as well. (10.5 inches)

 

[AmineD]

This is the Case im thinking about getting. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024

Would that be alright if i got a gtx or gtx+? Also is there a huge difference between the 2 cards? Theres only one gtx+ on newegg thats 200 bucks. Theres a few GTX that come with CoD4, which i dont have and would like to play.

 

[stepone]

The SAPPHIRE 100242L Radeon HD 4850 512MB is currently available for $155 AR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102747

That's about the best deal for ANY graphics card right now!

 

[AmineD]

I like to go with companies that offer lifetime warranties.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: AmineD
I like to go with companies that offer lifetime warranties.

Visiontek 4850 $170

Limited Lifetime Warranty

 

[stepone]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: AmineD
I like to go with companies that offer lifetime warranties.

Visiontek 4850 $170

Limited Lifetime Warranty

I think this guy is set on getting an nvidia card (no matter what).

If so the best bet for the op is:

EVGA 512-P3-N873-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ - $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130376

evga will give you your lifetime warranty and 4850 performance levels for $45 more but it's not in stock yet.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: stepone

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: AmineD
I like to go with companies that offer lifetime warranties.

Visiontek 4850 $170

Limited Lifetime Warranty

I think this guy is set on getting an nvidia card (no matter what).

If so the best bet for the op is:

EVGA 512-P3-N873-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ - $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130376

evga will give you your lifetime warranty and 4850 performance levels for $45 more but it's not in stock yet.

If that were the case, I don't think he would have stated, "Was thinking about either the 4850 or 9800gtx". This tells me he is considering either card and wants to know which is better for his usage.

Both cards have pros and cons. Here are some of them:

4850: cheaper, shorter, good performance.
runs very hot, insufficient cooler, DX10.1.

9800GTX/+: more expensive, longer, good performance
runs very cool, sufficient cooler, Physx capable.

Weigh the benefits and shortcomings, then decide on what it is that means more to you.
Done.

 

[AmineD]

Iv actually been a fan of ATI for quite some time. Running an x800 now. The fact that the 9800gtx+ runs cooler is nice. Whats the difference between dx10.1 and dx10? Also, what does Physx do?

If i decide to get the 9800gtx+, would it fit in this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024 with a p5q-deluxe?

is that case/psu combo good too?

 

[Keysplayr]

While it's still unclear what real world benefits DX10.1 offers over DX10, Physx on Nvidia GPU's allows the GPU to essentially do what the Ageia Physx Processor was designed to do, only better.
Physx allows for destructable environments, create higher levels of immersion into a Physx enabled game. E.G. shoot at a wall and watch it crumble or blow a hole in it. Have rubble that is dynamic
as a result. Realistic weather effects such as being pushed by wind, hail falling and bouncing off the pavement, tornadoes that rip buildings apart and pick up and whip around debris. It's kind of unlimited what can be done.
I have been messing around with Unreal Tournament 3 with the Physx package, and it is pretty cool.

And yes, it looks like a 9800GTX+ would fit in that case. Especially since the hard drive mounting bays are sideways. I like those kinds of cases. Makes it so much easier to remove/add drives when you need to.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: AmineD
Iv actually been a fan of ATI for quite some time. Running an x800 now. The fact that the 9800gtx+ runs cooler is nice. Whats the difference between dx10.1 and dx10? Also, what does Physx do?

If i decide to get the 9800gtx+, would it fit in this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024 with a p5q-deluxe?

is that case/psu combo good too?

Googled result says the 9800GTX should just make it, but you may not be able to put a HDD directly in front of the card and PCIE slot. At 150-200 for a 9800GTX or 4850 I'd honestly be looking at a GTX 260 or 4870 for $225-260 instead, but that really depends how much you game I suppose.

The PSU is probably one of their EarthWatt line or something which is pretty good; 500W is probably bare minimum if you start looking at OC'ing and enthusiast-level cards.

Also for mobo, do you really need the extra features of the P5Q-D? If not you can save yourself like $50 and go with the P5Q-E instead. They're very similar, main difference I believe were a few more NICs and 12-phase power vs 8-phase.

 

[AmineD]

is the GTX 260 that much beter than the 9800gtx+ for an extra 60 bucks?

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: AmineD
is the GTX 260 that much beter than the 9800gtx+ for an extra 60 bucks?

Absolutely, it improves areas that the 9800 GTX and G92 fell short of G80, bandwidth, ROPs and frame buffer. In benches it should consistently give you ~25-50% more performance. Its kind of funny because every time the 9800GTX/+ look like they're a good option the GTX 260 drops in price. One thing you would have to worry about with a GTX 260 (or 4870) is that 500W PSU.

 

[AmineD]

I see, im trying to keep this as close to 1000 as possible, atm tho its almost 1200 with the 9800gtx+ and an acer 22inch lcd. hmm

 

[bryanW1995]

sapphire 4850 is $139.99 AR shipped in hot deals right now. save yourself $60 and get performance that is at least as good as 9800gtx+. plus, 9800gtx+ is based upon older g92 tech, which will soon go the way of the dodo. 4850 is based upon the latest and greatest from amd. If you prefer nvidia then I would get a cheap-o card now like 8800gs for ~ $75 AR and wait for the gt 200 55nm refresh. They should have them in midrange in time for xmas.