Help Picking a Graphics Card

[trickymickey]

I've been looking at building a computer in the $800-$1000 for a few weeks and I've come up with this list of parts. I already got some feedback, so I think it's reasonably solid (but I'm always open for more advice)

Case:Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (already purchased)
CPUAMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W
PSUCORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
MoBoGIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
Memorymushkin HP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996652
HDDWestern Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
OpticalSAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

Those total up to 635.95

I'm looking to order parts in early-mid july and I've also decided on a radeon 4890, but I'm not sure how to pick between the different cards. 3 that I think are pretty good and about the same price are these (between 170-190 after rebates)

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
ASUS EAH4890/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP

The Sapphire is currently sold out on newegg as is the asus, but since I'm not buying right now so I figure that's ok, but I have no clue how to pick between them. Asus has a 3 year warranty instead of two, other than that is there a major difference between the different brands other than how they look?

 

[brblx]

there's no difference. most of the cards available right now use the ref cooler. i'd go with the one with the best warranty and/or highest factory overclock.

 

[trickymickey]

I am nubby but, how do I determine the factory overclock?

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Look under specifications at the Core Clock and Memory Clock.

 

[Denithor]

I personally suggest avoiding the Sapphire - if you have to RMA they charge a fee - even for a defective card.

EDIT: XFX is the best of the AMD board partners. Register the card within 30 days for lifetime warranty that you can transfer to a new owner if you sell the card. Plus they cover overclocking problems and even aftermarket coolers if you ever decide to change.

 

[andersonviola]

you just missed a great deal on a MSI 4850 512mb OC edition for $75 after $60MIR at newegg. item now says deactivated, but if you can find it elsewhere it comes with an upgraded HF and OCs nicely.