Step up from an 8800 GTS

[Dorkenstein]

Are there any cards available that are noticeably better than an 8800 GTS G92 for 1600x1200 gaming?

And one step further, are there any that run cooler/more efficiently? Not mandatory, but I am curious. Thank you.

 

[zod96]

At that res either a gtx260 for nvidia or a 4870 for ati. Can't go wrong on either one. Both about the same price..

 

[Dorkenstein]

Are drivers for ATI still behind the curve or am I wrong in thinking that they ever were? Can't remember where I heard that.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Both have had driver problems over the last year, and nvidia is alleged to have manufacturing issues on at least the gtx 280.

I did a clean install of Windows XP when moving from a 939 x2 / 7900gtx setup to E8400 / ATI 4870 about 3 weeks ago and have had no problems yet other than needing to increase the fan speed using the control panel since I prefer ~63c under load over 80+c.

Check the AnandTech 48xx review to see whether the GTX 260 is enough of an increase to make you happy, you might want to get the 4870 or GTX 280 instead.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Thanks for your advice!

 

[z1ggy]

I did hear the 280 had some issues.. Can be expected with 1 billion transistors on the board.