I need a video card recommendation please

[nleibert]

I finally upgraded from a Intel Xeon X3210 Quad to a Intel i5 2500K processor and added 8GB of memory but I'm still using my old Radeon 4870 512MB video card. My video card still does okay in games but I'm looking to replace it in the next 2 weeks to get the most I can out of my rig. I game at 1920x1080 and I haven't kept up with all the latest video cards so I was wondering if you guys could recommend me a new one.

My budget is $170-200 and I'm looking for a card that will obviously be an improvement over my 4870. I don't need super fast fps, 40-60fps in games is plenty good enough for me.

Thanks!

 

[Arkaign]

If you can be patient, try to get an HD6950 2GB model, as it appears you like to keep cards quite a long time between upgrades. I feel that the 1GB cards will start to suffer with 1080p and above before the 2GB cards will. There is also a 560ti 2GB model, but I believe it is more expensive? Either would be great.

 

[Rhezuss]

There's also the 6870 2gb models coming out. XFX has one already available and it should be in your budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150563

 

[lehtv]

6870 isn't really fast enough to enable the high settings and resolutions that properly take advantage of over 1GB of VRAM, unless you go dual-GPU.

+1 for 6950 2GB.

 

[SickBeast]

AMD's 7000 series is rumored to be right around the corner.

Things are pretty stale in the GPU market right now. There aren't many good deals to be found. The best I could find over the weekend was a 6770 for $80AR. A pair of them Crossfired would be ok, but nothing spectacular.

You're probably going to want at least 1.5gb of vram to run Battlefield 3 on Ultra mode. If you're ok with running it on "high", then you could get away with a pair of cheap 1gb cards in sli/xfire.

The 2gb cards are overpriced IMO. If you can wait 3 to 6 months, 2gb might go mainstream by then.

 

[Dark Shroud]

Over priced & not main stream? AMD has been using 2GB commonly this whole series and on the highend with the 5000 series. I still remember the 2GB 4000 series cards.

A 2GB 6950 is only $20 more than a 1GB model and many of the 2GB models have rebates dropping them down to the same price as the 1GB models AR.

+1 2GB 6950, just pay a bit more now and you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[happy medium]

My budget is $170-200 and I'm looking for a card that will obviously be an improvement over my 4870. I don't need super fast fps, 40-60fps in games is plenty good enough for me.

Since the cheapest 2gb 6950 is 240$ AR, I'm gonna say go for the 6870 2gb for 185$ AR.
The 6870 is only slightly slower than the 6950 and when overclocked will match it.

If a 6950 can utilize 2gb of memory so can a overclocked 6870 2gb, you cant have it both ways. Also if a 5870 cant utilize 2gb of memory neither can a 6950.

A 6950 is about = to a 5870 and here is a overclocked 6870 beating a 5870

 

[Fallengod]

I do agree, it is a very bad time to buy a video card with 7-series being released soon, however, that is probably still not going to happen until 2012. Still though, on top of normal technology depreciation, any new card bought now will also have depreciation very quickly due to price decreases of older series to move out inventory.

Not to take into consideration holiday deals and black friday coming up.