Upgrading from 7900GT

[Wolfscream]

Ok I'm almost ready to jump the gun but here's my dilemma.

I game at 1920x1080 (yay new monitor)

My proc is a Q9550 with stock settings.
8gb of 1066 DD2

I'm finding that playing modern games is becoming very limited.
I'm not sure whether to hop on the new XFX 4870 xxx 1gb card or if i should pony up a little more for an XFX 260 Core 216 Black card. From the reviews I've seen on the Black, it seems to outperform the 4870 1gb reference. However, I haven't really found any reviews on how it compares to the XFX version which is slightly overclocked. Another note is that my motherboard is a Crossfire supported mobo which means that potentially i could snag another 4870 and Xfire them. I wouldn't be able to do that if I got the nvidia card.

The question is whether I should hop on something now or if I should wait until the next generation of GPUs to support DX11. Help!

Edit:
Also if i decide to go with ATI, should I wait for the Black edition of the 4870 or should I hop on it now? I've never done Crossfire or SLI or anything before, when you crossfire does it have to be the EXACT same card? or can I get a different model of the 4870? Like if I get the XXX now and get the black edition later, would I be able to cross them?

Edit edit:
I can get a xfx 4870 1gb for about 241 shipped
Or I can get a xfx 260 core 216 Black for about 304.99 with a 25 dollar mail in rebate bringing it down to 279.99 after rebate.

 

[Wreckage]

I would go with the 260, it's a bit faster than the 4870 and has a lot more features.

The 285 is out now but it runs over $350 which may be a bit much.

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/16229

 

[CrazigXn]

agreed. at 1920x the 260 (based on anandtech and hardocp features) seems to hold up well. the main issue is the lack of shader power, which the 280 and ati radeon 4870x2 have more of.
read a few of the gaming articles before the decision. besides (at least last week on new egg) you could get a GTX 280 for $285 after instant savings and $30 MIR.

 

[Wreckage]

With the 285 here (I heard for as low as $350). Prices on the 280,260,4870 are going to need to drop.

Although I think the 280 is done.

 

[Denithor]

Sapphire 4850X2 2GB review @ Xbitlabs.com

Sapphire 4850X2 2GB $280AR

 

[Qbah]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Sapphire 4850X2 2GB review @ Xbitlabs.com

Sapphire 4850X2 2GB $280AR

I read that thing is extremely loud. Huge difference between it and pretty much any other card on the market.

As for the OP, I'd say at 19x12 a HD4870 1GB or GTX260c216 will be fine. They're pretty much equal. So just get what's cheaper.

Or pray for another GTX280 at 200$ deal