Need upgrade advice - PCI-E card

[mmganga]

Hi,

I've had an ATI-based X1300 video card (Sapphire) for the last ~2 years and it has been working great.

Recently, I've obtained a 2nd LCD monitor which I want to connect through DVI instead of VGA (the Sapphire has 1 DVI and 1 VGA connector).

I want to upgrade my card but don't want to spend a lot (maybe buying something off the F/S forums here); it must have dual DVI and also be a step up or two from my old card.

What do you guys recommend? Should I stick with an ATI-based chipset or move to an NVIDIA chipset?

Thanks a lot!

 

[cusideabelincoln]

HD 4650: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161262

That would be a huge step up..

 

[Tempered81]

8800gt 512 or 4830 are fast, powerful & less than $100

 

[imported_harlanpepper]

I just picked up a 4830 last week and I'm quite impressed. It was $85 (after rebate) at Newegg last week... hard to complain. Performs pretty much on par with a factory overclocked 8800GT 512. Also runs WAY cooler and dropped my system power consumption by 45w compared to the 8800GTS (G80) it replaced.

 

[yh125d]

What res are the monitors in question? Do you game at all? 2D apps only?

 

[mmganga]

The monitors are running at 1600 x 1200 (each) for a total of 3200 x 1200 resolution.

I'd like to play games (I actually played Crysis and Call of Duty 5 recently on the X1300 card on a single monitor and it worked almost ok). So I'd guess that anything faster would work much much better.

I'll look at the suggestions here. Thanks!

 

[Quizard]

4850

 

[mmganga]

I think the 4850 is a little overkill and very high $$$...I'm looking for something around the $100 mark or below it.

Looks to me like the 4650 would be the best option in that range, am I right?

Thanks!!!

 

[topjimmy]

Newegg has the 4850 from sapphire for 144 - 20 with a coupon code and a $15 rebate = 109 shipped after rebate

Later
JimC

 

[nyker96]

Originally posted by: topjimmy
Newegg has the 4850 from sapphire for 144 - 20 with a coupon code and a $15 rebate = 109 shipped after rebate

Later
JimC

second that, that's the best bang for cash!

 

[dflynchimp]

if you absolutely have to have sub $100 before rebates, get the 4830

 

[yh125d]

4830 for $75 AR + free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121289

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: mmganga
I think the 4850 is a little overkill and very high $$$...I'm looking for something around the $100 mark or below it.

Looks to me like the 4650 would be the best option in that range, am I right?

Thanks!!!

The 4650 would be if you're looking for sub-$50. And while that price range is just fine, especially for non-gaming use, there's really no reason not to pony up an extra $25 and get a 4830 instead. It's literally twice as fast.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Either the 4650/70 or the 4830. I'd probably go with the 4830. His system might be a bit dated judging by the x1300, but he'll run it at his CPU max fps and with AA enabled and all that jazz. Not to mention it Oc's above 4850 speeds.