Need Recommendation for new video card to pair with older processor

[hughest]

I built a new computer 2 years ago with an AMD X2 3800 o/c 2.4 Ghz, 2Gb ram, and a radeon 1900xt video card. Unfortunately the motherboard is socket 939 so there is no upgrade path for the processor. I was looking to upgrade the video card so I can get a bit smoother performance on more recent games like Far Cry 2, Fallout 3, Crysis Warhead etc. And even older games like oblivion. I currently run everything at 1280x1024 on a 19" LCD.

I am interested in upgrading the video card, but I don't want to buy a really expensive card only to have my processor completely bottleneck the system. I don't mind spending the money if the card will pair ok with the CPU. Any suggestions? I was looking at the HD4870 and 4850's. From what I read it seems like the 4870 may be two powerful for the processor I have.

The inclination toward ATI is just so that I don't have to worry as much about driver and windows headaches with the card switch.

Thanks!

 

[996GT2]

HD 4850 is all you need for 1280x1024. HD 4870 if you plan to play at higher resolutions later on or want to use higher AA/AF levels.

 

[Oyeve]

Or a used 8800GT. That would serve you well.

 

[mindless1]

If you buy a card with the idea that it should be slower so the CPU isn't bottlenecking it, you then have to buy a video card again sooner when you upgrade the rest, and/or the monitor. Speaking of the monitor, to some that would be as important an upgrade as having higher levels of eyecandy on those games (else the difference in performance between what you have and a new card wouldn't be as large).

Since you don't mind spending more money, and since DDR2 memory is dirt cheap right now (probably never this cheap again, at least not till it becomes ancient surplus stock), it seems the ideal time to upgrade the CPU, board, memory. Wait, did I just write never this cheap again? Obviously history has proven this wrong if speaking only about total memory capacity in GB, but I mean in the near future, I doubt you'll find a then contemporary, average amount of memory for a system to cost under $35 AR.