Need help picking a card

[compnurd09]

I currently have a 2900XT. I only have a 19inch 1280x1024 LCD so all games are run at that. The card runs everything i throw at it with good settings (COD5 MW2, Sims 3, Lineage 2, Day of Defeat). Problem is something is wrong with the card. It was flaking out just normal operation when i had windows xp and now with windows 7 it restarts the display alot.

Rest of system is a Q9400,4 gig ram 750 sli board and Win 7 x64.

I dont need anything crazy but i dont want anything crappy. Budget is between 100-150.

I am not a huge fan of ATI drivers so i have been looking at the GTS250 and even the GT240(GDDR5 versions) I like the 240 due to the lower power requirements and it is quiet. Also like due to DX 10.1 support and Direct Compute support.

I just am not sure the 240 will give me the same performance as my 2900

 

[Atls]

I know you're not a fan of Ati, but have you considered the 4850 or the 5770? They're both amazing cards, and will run anything you throw at them with your monitor. Plus, the 5770 has full DX11 support, and a lot more games are taking advantage of that.

As for nVidia, the GTS250 isn't a bad card, but I'm not so sure about the 240.

 

[MrK6]

The GT240 is a ripoff; you greatly overpay for the (lack of) performance you get. There's nothing wrong with ATI's drivers. I've been running their cards on and off for over the last two years and I haven't had any issues (actually had more with NVIDIA, but it was an SLI thing). If you're adamant about staying with NVIDIA, a GTS250 would be the way to go, unless you can catch a good deal on a GTX260 (I haven't seen any lately though). If you do AMD, this 4890 deal is absolutely godlike: http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1718547 , there isn't a better deal on the market that I've seen. There have been some great deals on 4870's in the $110-125 range. Either card will be a good bit faster than the GTS 250, with the 4890 being much faster.

 

[Wreckage]

You could always go with a "green edition" GTS250 that uses less power. Only $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-051-_-Product

 

[compnurd09]

How is Palit? I have usually only purchased XFX,EVGA and Visiontek in the past

 

[MrK6]

How is Palit? I have usually only purchased XFX,EVGA and Visiontek in the past

I think earlier this year I read something about them pulling out of all business operations in North America. Maybe they reversed that decision, but all the same I'd be wary of buying one of their parts if you're concerned about a warranty.

 

[compnurd09]

yeh i think i will stick with the major brands

 

[compnurd09]

Any thoughts on the 5750?

 

[MrK6]

Any thoughts on the 5750?

It's a good performer once overclocked, but you'll pay a price premium because it's so new. If you want DX11 compatibility/Eyefinity, go for it. It offers performance comparable to the GTS250, but is probably about $25 more expensive on average. Unfortunately due to it's limited supply and it's being so new, that's the price premium (look around for deals though). I should also add that it has incredibly low power consumption and is very quiet, even at load, dunno if that's important to you though.

 

[compnurd09]

the 25 bucks for DX11 is what is pulling me. i will never have more then one monitor so eyefinity is useless to me

 

[compnurd09]

Thanks all. I think after all of this i will pick up a 5770.

 

[compnurd09]

Ok I waited to pull the trigger now I am doubting myself. Should i just get a 5750 since i probably wont go above a 1280 x1024 for at least a year or would the little extra HP of the 5770 be better for todays games? we are talking 30 bucks difference

 

[MrK6]

Ok I waited to pull the trigger now I am doubting myself. Should i just get a 5750 since i probably wont go above a 1280 x1024 for at least a year or would the little extra HP of the 5770 be better for todays games? we are talking 30 bucks difference

Personally, I'd go for the 5770, mainly for its overclocking capabilities (voltage control, etc.). I like to go for overkill and have more than enough then regret not getting a better/faster/cooler part. I always say to myself "money is money, I can always go out and make more."

 

[crisium]

If you still have a 2900XT which is 2.5 years old, you probably run with cards for a while. You might as well get the faster performing 5770 since it'll last you a bit longer.

 

[jvroig]

If you still have a 2900XT which is 2.5 years old, you probably run with cards for a while. You might as well get the faster performing 5770 since it'll last you a bit longer.

+1. If the choice is just between a 5750 and a 5770, and you plan to make it last 2 years or more, then the extra bucks for a 5770 won't be so bad.