What video card do you recommend for around $200?

[Trevelyan]

I'm coming from an X1800XT and will be upgrading my CPU to an Intel i7 920 soon.

Anyways, I hope this is an OK question to ask here. I haven't followed video cards in awhile, so please don't flame me

Games I play now:

1) Counter-Strike
2) Left 4 Dead
3) GTA IV (Can't play now -- video card is too slow)

Resolution I play at now is 1680 X 1050, but I might get a 24" LCD at some point, so that will go up.

And I don't want a video card that is going to be roaring in my case. I would prefer something that is at least a little bit quiet... doesn't have to be fanless, but not notoriously loud either.

 

[Rifter]

what PSU do you have? if a good one(quality 450w or better) i would go with a 4890 they seem to be the best bang for the buck right now, if your PSU is not so good(no name 500w or lower) then i would get a 4770.

 

[yh125d]

4890 for sure. If the stock cooler is too loud, $20 for an AC Accelero S1

 

[Trevelyan]

Okay. Any specific brand for the 4890?

I'm going to upgrade the PSU as well to a 750W Corsair modular... or something around there.

 

[Trevelyan]

Oh, and what about people who are saying to wait for the next generation of video cards? How long of a wait would that be?

 

[FalseChristian]

Originally posted by: Trevelyan
Oh, and what about people who are saying to wait for the next generation of video cards? How long of a wait would that be?

The next generation from ATI at least should be here sometime in Quarter 4 of this year.

 

[PurdueRy]

I can highly recommend the HIS brand and specifically their ICEQ4 cards. They have a custom cooler on them that performs very well...and most importantly...is very quiet. You do pay more for it obviously, but sometimes a appreciate the simplicity.

I own the HID ICEQ4 4850. Been very happy as quiet was one of my top priorties.

 

[Keysplayr]

For your resolution, any of the following are fine:

4890
4870 1GB
4850 1GB
4770 1GB?
GTS250 1GB
GTX260 192
GTX260 216
GTX275 (have to hunt for best deal. Usually can be found for 220 ish AR.)

I really don't recommend 512MB cards at this stage of the game. Doesn't hurt to have the extra 512, but it "may" hurt to have only 512. Depends on game and settings.

Good Luck.