Video Card Decision...

That's kind of a funny decision since the 8800GTS is so much faster than the 3870, but also reasonably more expensive. If you don't have a lot of money and won't be playing at the highest settings I'd suggest getting a lower end card than the 8800GTS. They are a lot cheaper and, although slower, offer a lot more bang for the buck. The HD3870 is fine but you should also consider the 8800GT/GS and the newly released 9600GT. There are a lot of choices right now that perform similarly for similar amounts of money...

-mcg

I'd get the 3870. There's one on sale at newegg for 179.99 after $10 rebate. My friend just got one. It works really well, has great color, and the native HDMI is really nice if you have an HDTV sitting around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102719

Definitely look at the 9600GT. It's a little bit faster than the 3870 for about the same price. The 3870 isn't a bad choice, but it would be a travesty not to at least consider the 9600.

If you get an 8800GT try to get one with a modified cooling solution. The stock cooler sucks on many levels. I suppose the same could be said about the 9600GT, but that card doesn't run quite as hot.

Native HDMI? Not on the card you linked there, bud.

I got one for a friend. It definitely has native HDMI. We hooked it up to my Sony 60A2000. Sound and everything works. Haven't actually tried gaming on it, but don't see why it'd be a problem.

Actually the 3870 is a bit faster under most circumstances but costs a little more.
Both are great choices,I just installed a 9600gt in my friend's computer and he loves it.
Check out: http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/0 [...] index.html

My understanding is this:
-9600 is a bit faster than 3870 without AA
-9600 is a lot faster with AA
-Most games these days are solicited by Nvidia, giving their cards a significant advantage until ATI can optimize its drivers (sad but true)
-3870 has better video processing (full VC-1 decoding)
-3870 has a much better stock cooler
-3870 has better "image quality," whatever that means

I guess if you look at it that way the cards are about equal. I'd put my money on a 9600 since AA is important to me. Others could care less about AA, in which case the 3870 looks more attractive.

They're both great cards at great prices though.

I vote the gts 512 if you can afford it. Outstanding card, it just rocks. You won't regret a single penny. Evga and Xfx are my recommendation because they have awesome warranties.

I am leary on the 8800GT because of the single slot cooler Performance is there though and a bit better then the 3870. the MSI one has a nice cooler on it though and clocked higher i believe.

The 3780 does have a 2 slot cooler which i like. And the prices have come down.

Get the most you can afford or want to pay, that's my rule. If you don't you will kick youself and say "why didnt I spring for the better one for $40"

I reccomend the MSI 8800GT 512MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

Its only $216.99 + $5.84 S/H, and you get a $30.00 mail in rebate. So it comes in at; $192.83. Its got a nice heatsink, and its stock overclocked.

A 3870 should be fine for you. If you have decent cooling for your case I would say go for the GT. Don't bother with the GTS unless you have the money to blow and really need that double slot and a few extra FPS over the 3870.

Well I have a Antec 900 case, Corsair 620HX Power Supply & ZALMAN CNPS9700 110mm CPU Cooler so that should be cool enough I think.

I agree about kicking yourself... if I can get the GTS.G92 512mb for $250 versus the GT 512mb for $200 is $50 worth it even though it probably won't get used to the fullest?

I was even thinking about getting some low-end junk card that will work in the Abit IP35 Pro till the GTS.G92 falls to $200 when the 9800 comes out even if it's a month.

For what you've described as your usage, and funds I reckon the 3870 is the best choice.
It would certainly be where my money would go!
You're not really going to get the benefit of the GTS over the GT with the resolution you'll be playing, so in my mind it would be between the 8800GT & 3870.
As I said above, the 3870 would be my choice because it's slightly cheaper (is in the UK anyway) has a better stock cooler (friends of mine have moaned about them and there are plenty of people on here saying they're crappy) generally ATi image quality is better (better colours, cripser display etc.) and if you run an Intel chipset machine, you can pop in another 3870 in the future

Don't get the 3870 with the little coolers, I don't like the look of them. I wouldn't feel right with such a little cooler when the original cards came out with a nice big one that blew air out the back.

I'm hearing good things from this MSI card with the better cooling. it doesnt blow it out the back, but if you are going for a GT, id look at this one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

I do go for the coolers that blow out the back. My GTS isn't that bad at all to be honest. I can't imagine a stock Gt though. The MSI one doesnt blow it out the back but in all honesty it looks as though its a FAR better cooler than the stock GT. Yes it stays in the case and you should make sure you have good air flow but it still a step up from stock. I had a Thermalright cooler on my last card, a x1900xtx and going to the GTS my mobo temp dropped 5C just because the hot air from the vid card wasn't remaining in my case.

I think the ATI 38XX and Nvidia 8800 are all great cards. Each is prices prettey much where it needs to be. It is up to you what you feel you will need and can afford. I do like the 2 slot coolers but hey sometimes you can't be choosy.

to the OP, if you have it you are going to wanna use it. Once you see high graphic settings you are going to get all excited and want to keep it that way. Hence why people Overclock and get highend cards. I see you were looking at cards just under $200, is this your price range?

Very well said. Aside from the typos

There is a reason I'm an Engineer and not a Grammar Professor.

It is possible. I am starting to see more rebates for these cards, so if you have the $$ up front and can wait for the rebate check you might be good. tghe BFG 8800GTS is $270 with $30 rebate making it $240.

If $225 is your highest cost, I would go for the 8800GT probably something with a different than OEM cooler like the MSI. Personally that would be my next in line. I got my GTS for $300 with $30 rebate so it's $270 I believe. Just watch for the rebates.

That finger better not be pointing at me. I was 2 seconds away from getting a 3870 when then came out at $220 but then sold out. New egg Jacked them up to like $280 and that was the end for me. It took to long for them to come down in price and by that time Nvidia had 8800GT's back in stock and the 8800GTS's were out. I waited a few months and the GTS came down and had a rebate. Before this I had a x1900xtx. I loved that card, it beat any 7XXX series Nvidia. The G80's didnt give me enough extra performance to upgrade so I patiently waited. Now im happy. I'm not a fanboy, I just shop for the best performance for my price range.