:thumbsup:The GeForce GTS 450 seems like a good bet. You can get an EVGA reference card for only $100 new. Link
For the same amount, you can also get a reference refurbished EVGA GTX 460 768MB FPB. Link
The GTS 450 will be overall 15% faster than your now defunct 9800GTX, while the GTX 460 768MB will be overall 35% faster. If you think going for a refurb is worth the extra 20% performance, go for it. The GTX 460 768MB also has more over-clocking headroom. Both cards will run cooler and quieter than your 9800GTX.
Thanks!
A Radeon HD 5770 has better performance than a Geforce GTS 450 at the same price, but if you want to stay loyal Nvidia at the expense of price/performance than fine...
What are you considering getting? That refurb GTX 460 768MB looks very tasty at only $100, but if you'd rather get something new, go for the GTS 450. I will tell you, though, EVGA's manufacturer refurbed cards are almost brand new most of the time.
I am thinking of going with the new 450 only for warranty's sake since it was a eVGA card that died on me and I forgot to register it for warranty. Besides this will be going into my secondary rig that won't be used for heavy gaming.