Video card for new build

[DoubleHelix747]

As I prod along accumulating parts for my new build as they go on some ridiculous sale, it is time now to decide on the video card. Here is what I have so far:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
ZEROtherm ZEN FZ120 120mm CPU Cooler
Corsair XMS 4GB RAM
Antec 900 case
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Read Active PFC PSU

At the moment I only have a 20" LCD monitor, but plan to upgrade to a 24" (1920 X 1200) soon.

May also connect to my 50" LCD TV.

No SLI or Crossfire.

Desirable attributes:
Should be able to run most games except the very high end ones close to medium-to-high settings for ~2 years or so. Some photoediting. HD multimedia.

Quite operation.

What is the good value-for-money video card that fits in with the above? I am thinking of something in $50-$125 range, but could go higher if a strong case is made for it. And if you come up with something less than $50, that would be super!

TIA for suggestions - mucho appreciated!

 

[DaveSimmons]

You need at least a 4850 or 9800gtx to be able to run almost all games at 16x10 and some games at 19x12.

If you want to run most games well at 19x12 then a 4870 makes sense, but with your budget you'll need to look for a Hot Deal on a 4870 512MB or closeout older GTX 260.

 

[DSF]

You're not going to find a gaming card that will drive a 24" monitor well at anything near $50. Even at $125 you aren't quite touching the performance tier you'd want for that screen size. A 4850 or 9800 should fit into your budget but it won't last two years at that screen res I don't think.

 

[DoubleHelix747]

hmm, I guess then I need to spend more. Is 24" screen resolution the one that is driving what I need?

What do you think of this one:

MSI N9600GT 512M OC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127333

Let me put the question in another way - what can expect for gaming if I use a card like above with a 24" monitor. I guess I am trying to figure if I can live with it. The other option is to go with a cheap card like above now (or even cheaper) as long as I have the 20" monitor and think of upgrading to a more expensive card when I buy a 24" monitor (at least 6 months down the road). By that time, I might even benefit from the normal price deflation for the higher end card. What do you think?

BTW, the cheapest 4850 on Newegg right now is $130 or so and 4870 $170 or so. So with 4850 I am almost within my budget

 

[DSF]

Partly it depends on what games you intend to play. Not all games are identical in their GPU requirements. If I were buying a 24" monitor I wouldn't go with less than a 4850.

 

[OCNewbie]

Look into an HD 4830 and OC it. Buy one that tends to OC well. I "think" when OC'd it can play many games at decent framerates at 1900x1200 (default res on your 24"). Might wanna do some research for benchmarks backing up what I say though.

 

[DoubleHelix747]

I notice all suggestion so far are referring to ATI? Anything specific against nVidia?

Also, how do I find out if a board is amenable to overclocking?

Thanks - this is very helpful as you can probably guess I don't know what I am doing ;-)

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: DoubleHelix747
I notice all suggestion so far are referring to ATI? Anything specific against nVidia?

As of right now ATI lowered the prices on it's line-up. Me personally I'm an Nvidia guy and <3 EVGA but since the ATI counterparts are slightly lower right now, you should probably go with them but the 4850's. The 4850's are still goods cards but with the newest Nvidia drivers, the 9800GTX+ beats the 4850 slightly at those lower resolutions. If you're going to play @ 19x12 you should step up to an even better card if you want all the eye candy.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: DoubleHelix747
I notice all suggestion so far are referring to ATI? Anything specific against nVidia?

Also, how do I find out if a board is amenable to overclocking?

Thanks - this is very helpful as you can probably guess I don't know what I am doing ;-)

Nothing specific against Nvidia. I was just saying you don't want anything less powerful than a 4850. (Or more specifically, I was saying I wouldn't want anything less powerul than a 4850 for that screen resolution.)

 

[DoubleHelix747]

Thanks all! 4850 it is going to be.

Do I need 512MB or would 256MB suffice?

Any manufacturers to stay clear off, or it really does not matter?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: DoubleHelix747
Thanks all! 4850 it is going to be.

Do I need 512MB or would 256MB suffice?

Any manufacturers to stay clear off, or it really does not matter?

512