NVidia Card Recomendations at about $200

[dlw459]

My Video card is on the blink, and I need to replace it as soon as possible. My wife uses our system ~4 hours every day for Autocad (no 3d, although that may change in the future) and I do a good amount of Photo Editing (mostly lightroom). I am not really a gamer, although I do hope to play a little MOH4. My price range is $150-200. For simplicity I am looking at NVida cards only. The card needs to have Two (DVI) out.

I see 'HOOfan 1' and 'JACKDRUID' from geforce 9 series or 8 recommending 8800GTS in my price range. Given my requirements, I am wondering though if I should look at a Quadro card. Can anyone give me a recommendations on Quadro Cards in my price range? Also at that price are the Quadro cards worth it, or do you have to spend 500+ on a Quadro card before you begin to see the benefits? I should add that my 7900 GS has served us well up till now.

Thanks,

David

 

[TC91]

I think you can try modding your 7900gs into a quadro, dont remember how but someone here should know. I would recommend the 8800gts 512mb in this price range, although i would wait to see the new cards that should be out in 2-3weeks, which may drop current prices even further.

 

[dlw459]

I just looked on new egg, and the 8800GTS cards seem to start at $200 and go up. What am I missing? OIC: Perhaps what 'JACKDRUID' posted was his estimation of the new prices? In that case I may be back to the 8800GT.

Edit: Also I assume PCI express 2.0 cards will also work on a 1.x MB? Should I limit myself to only 1.x cards?

TC91: Yes I know about upcoming price drop, but I may not be able to wait.