Looking for a GPU for new build

[makken]

Hi guys, I'm trying to pick out a GPU for a new build, and was wondering if an HD4850 or a 9800GTX would be good enough. I'll primary be playing TF2, Left 4 dead, WoW, Dawn of War 2, and Civ 4 and would like to find something that can handle those titles at 1900x1080 on high settings.

I've been looking at the HD4850s and 9800GTX/GTS250, but everyone I've talked to has recommended at least a 4870 1GB for anything above 1600x1050. I'll rather not drop too much money on a video card, but I also don't want to be disappointed in its performance either.

what do you guys think?

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've seen Hot Deals on 4870 512MB for as low as $135, you could try to find one for around $150.

When I was shopping for cards last July, from the reviews I read the 4850 is a great card for 16x10 but is a little slow for gaming at 19x10 / 19x12 unless you don't mind turning down settings. It's only going to get worse with never games.

 

[Wreckage]

If you are looking to save money then go with the GTS250 1GB. It's plenty fast and the extra memory will help with the higher resolution.

Although I would truly recommend this BFG 260+ OC. Reviews give it the edge over the 4870.

Only $179 which is not a whole lot more than the 250/4850

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143155

 

[TurtleCrusher]

You've really got to tell us what the rest of the build is. Certainly not enough information.

 

[Psynaut]

Yes, a 9800 GTX will handle those games just fine on high settings.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Psynaut
Yes, a 9800 GTX will handle those games just fine on high settings.

I guess so. If you want to play Crysis or FC 2 at that resolution, you need at least a GTX 260 c216/4870 1gb, but for those particular games, 9800 GTX+/4850 is enough.

 

[octopus41092]

I'd just go for a HD4870. It's not that much more expensive compared to the HD4850 and will last you longer.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: makken
1900x1080 on high settings.

If your power supply can handle it, I'd say go for the 4870 1GB or GTX 260. Not sure about the Radeons, but with the GeForce cards the GTX 260 is priced only $30 more than a 1GB GTS 250, and will perform at least 50% faster (just pulled that number from somewhere, but you get the point). The thing is that those cards are IMO at the peak of price/performance. Next step up is not fast enough to justify extra cost, while next step below is too slow to justify tiny price differential. Of course, as I said if your PSU can handle it.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
If you are looking to save money then go with the GTS250 1GB. It's plenty fast and the extra memory will help with the higher resolution.

Although I would truly recommend this BFG 260+ OC. Reviews give it the edge over the 4870.

Only $179 which is not a whole lot more than the 250/4850

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143155

why would you pay $179 for a bfg 260+ OC when you can get a 4870 512 for $135??? At that res, the 512mb is all that is required, even if the OP does end up choosing a gts 250/9800gtx(+) or whatever they are calling it next week. For that matter, I just paid $159 shipped AR for an msi 260+ OC plus it had a free game of far cry that I was able to sell for $15, so net $144. I would NOT pay more than $150 shipped net for a 260+ or 4870 these days, and not more than $115 for a 4850.

My recommendation would be to surf around hot deals looking for something good on the 4870/gtx 260 in the next few weeks. with 4890 and gtx 275 coming out soon, those should both start to get really inexpensive soon.

 

[makken]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, I am definitely keeping an eye out for 4850/4870 and GTS250/9800GTX / GTS260 deals. How much of a price drop do you guys think we'll see with the release of the 4890? I can't imagine it'll be too much considering ATI just slashed prices not too long ago.

Also, what about the new ATI R740s? Seems like people are predicting the high end (4770 I think?) to match the 4850 in performance.

 

[bryanW1995]

it will probably be closer to 4830 in performance. the only benefit of r740 appears to be lower cost for amd, the 40nm process is not very efficient right now.

 

[Psynaut]

Originally posted by: error8

Originally posted by: Psynaut
Yes, a 9800 GTX will handle those games just fine on high settings.

I guess so. If you want to play Crysis or FC 2 at that resolution, you need at least a GTX 260 c216/4870 1gb, but for those particular games, 9800 GTX+/4850 is enough.

Ya, to be clear, I wasn't recommending the 9800 GTX, just answering the question that was posed, since nobody else had.

I think it depends on when you plan to upgrade again. If you are going to play those games and upgrade again in a year, the 9800 is fine. If you want the card to last you 2 or 3 years, you really need to get the 260

I am looking to upgrade my 9800 GTX in the next couple weeks, because it is starting to struggle on certain parts of certain games. Yes, it will run the games you listed at pretty much max settings, but those games are not very demanding. Maybe you can find a used 260 for a cheap price in the For Sale forum.

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

why would you pay $179 for a bfg 260+ OC when you can get a 4870 512 for $135???

Because it's faster and has more memory so it will perform better @ 1900x1080

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Hmm. IDK how you guys can be making suggestions without knowing what CPU/MOBO/RAM/PSU he's going to be using. For all we know he could be building a cheap HTPC with a 45w Athlon X2.