Video card upgrade

[jpk]

I'm looking between the GeForce 9800GTX+ and the HD 4850 series cards. I currently have a ATI X1800XT 512mb. I want to spend around +/- $150.00. Any suggestions as which card/GPU has the best bang for the buck. I will be upgrading my system later but will start with the graphics card. Thanks for any input.

 

[Denithor]

Right now you can get several GTX 260 models for about $160-165 after rebate. That's the best deal ATM. If you're looking to spend $150 before rebates look at the GTS 250 (9800GTX rebadge) or a 4850, either will be quite an upgrade from your current card.

 

[jpk]

Thanks for the info. I have a line on a GTX 260 locally, used. I offered $150.00 for it. See if he returns my email.

 

[Denithor]

Personally I'd grab one of the XFX or EVGA cards for $160AR before I'd take a used one locally - you get a lifetime warranty with either of those brands just for registering the card within 30 days of the purchase. Good luck getting things fixed if your local buy starts acting up sometime down the road.

 

[aatf510]

ATI also dropped the price of the 4870 512MB to $149.
That's probably the best bang of the buck for you if you can find one.

 

[Rick James]

Mid range? 4830. 99 dollars on newegg

 

[palladium]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Personally I'd grab one of the XFX or EVGA cards for $160AR before I'd take a used one locally - you get a lifetime warranty with either of those brands just for registering the card within 30 days of the purchase. Good luck getting things fixed if your local buy starts acting up sometime down the road.

Seconded. If the XFX 4870 cards are within your budget, I'll consider one of those too ( don't know if XFX offers lifetime warranty on their Radeon cards).

 

[nyker96]

get a 4870/512 for $155. should be pretty decent for the cash.

 

[happy medium]

I see you have a 22 inch monitor (1680 x 1050) with a 4800 x2 cpu. I'd go with a 9800gtx or 4850 then. Cpu will limit you.

 

[jpk]

Well, I never heard back from the guy with the GTX260. I went ahead and bought a 260 from CompUSA for basicly 199.00 after rebate. Damn that is a BIG card. Barely fits in my box. Needs alot of juice to run it too. I will be upgrading my CPU/Mobo/Memory soon along with my power supply and case. I don't think there's enough cool air flowing in my box. It's a little tight and the fans are small. I had to do some creative rewiring and relocation of components to shoehorn it in. It is a hefty ah heck. Thanks for all your help.

It's the EVGA card with a copy of FarCry 2.