Okay, I am deciding on what graphics card to get. My budget is about $200, so the ATI 3870 looked real nice. But the 8800GT prices have dropped and I can get a PNY 8800GT for $200 and for a little more money my variety of 8800GT opens up a lot. Then I saw the increasing popularity of the 9600GT. Theres one on Newegg for $150 so I starting thinking, hey I can get one now and then get another in a week or month or so and SLI them. So what do you guys think the best choice would be? Oh and im only running on a 19" monitor with max res of 1050 (i run it on 800 a lot tho too) and I heard if its not a very high res then the 3850 is a good candidate.
1) ATI 3870 512mb
2) nVidia PNY 8800GT 512mb
3) nVidia 8800GT 512mb
4) nVidia 9600GT
5) nVidia 9600GT SLI
6) ATI 3850 256mb

i would get the 8800gt !!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318

8800gt

Agree 8800GT beats them all at any res, and the 3850 is not very good compared to the 9600GT, plus you will still need at least 512MB on any card you choose.

If you plan on sticking with an 800x600 lcd then go with an 8600GT. If you plan on upgrading to at least a 1280x1024 lcd then go with the 9600GT or 3850 if you play only older titles (not Crysis and COD4). If you plan on playing the latest games and going to at least 1280x1024 then go 8800GT at the <$180 mark. If you want to play with AA on then go with NV, else look for great deals from ATI.
I had a 7600GT that I used to just play TF2 at 1280x1024 med graphics but all the HDR and stuff was off. Bought an 8800GT a month ago when the price of the MSI heatpipe design went to $200. Now everything is on high or better with AA. I like it but I also plan on installing a <42" 1080p display. If you don't plan on running higher than 1280x1024 then the 9600GT looks like the best buy right now. It seems like the _600GT is always the best bang for the buck after a month or so of release.

Hmm, Okay yeah the 3850 wont be able to play the lastest games. So how would a single 9600GT work? and how would SLI 9600GTs work? way better than a single 8800GT or 3870? Oh and if I do go with the 8800GT should I get the 256mb version or the 512mb? I am playing with a lower res so the memory is less important, but does having 256 over 512 effect actualy performance for me in my situation?
 
And the 8800GT on Newegg for $200 is the PNY 512mb 8800GT. Now its a lot cheaper than the rest of teh 512s and I heard something about a bad batch of cards and BIOS errors in this specific card (could explain the price decrease)

Oh and also Im using the ASUS p5K-E/Wifi Intel P35 motherboard. I know P35 supports crossfire, does it support SLI too?

p35 only supports crossfire. Get the 8800GT, and then get another in maybe 6 months or so if you can afford it.

3870

8800gt!!!

8800gt!!!

The 8800GTS 512MB (G92) is also saleing around $225 off and on if you look around. Places like Tigerdirrect have monthly sales with email discounts.
The end of the month most online shops are going to be pushing for the Easter Vacation Cash.

My vote goes to the 9600gt. I get 11K in 3dmark06 and despite what jprevost says the card plays crysis and cod4 very well on my 19" lcd.  And all of this for $150. The 8800gt may be slightly faster but the 9600gt puts up a great price-per-performance fight.

Tough one, I'd say the 8800GT
 
But the 9600GT hits the sweet spot for VFM IMO

well if P35 only supports crossfire that means i cant SLI, right? So if i cant SLI then the 9600GT is out of the question and its between the 8800GT and the 3870 and if crossfire is capable then the 3870 would be the better choice because that would leave upgradability in the future whereas the 8800GT doesnt

 
You have JUST answered your own question!
I would go with crossfire enabled solution.....
3870 all the way!

The 9600 is a consolation prize.  I would never buy it unless I absolutely positively could not come up with the $30 difference. That card would have to be a ~$125 card for me to consider it.

I have a 3870, and I am not that all impressed.  I would go 8800gt if doing it over again.  I had the chance when my first HIS 3870 went bad, but since I have a P35 mobo, I can't go SLI, and I just went with another HIS 3870.  I kinda wished I went 8800gt, even if that means foregoing crossfire or SLI.

Look to the rest of the crew here for advice on which card is least buggy.  My 3870 plays the games I care about at max detail (but not with Anti Aliasing though).  It plays Crysis reasonably well with high and medium settings--but no amount of detail, etc., will make me want to play it very often (good for eye candy, but only occasional play when I am REALLY bored).  But the screen intermittently flashes maybe once an hour.  And I have zero overclocking headroom.  I can't overcome these issues, and I am quite annoyed by them.  

If the 8800gt is more stable, or at least does not have these issues, that would be worth the peace of mind IMHO.  And if it can play the games YOU care about, then that is an easy decision.  

Hmm, well I didnt buy my motherboard yet. If I were to switch to a different chipset that supported SLI then how would two SLI 9600GTs fair out?

I just re-read what I said and it was confusing. I think, for the price right now of the 8800GT after rebates, it's a better buy for playing Crysis and COD4 type games at 1280x1024 with all the graphics high and better with AA. I do mention the 9600GT as being the card with the best bang for the buck for 1280x1024 playing all of the older titles and playing the newer with some graphics turned down.

Just get the 8800GT and be done with it.

I think most will pick the 8800GT.
However, if you can wait a few months, the Ati 4800s will be out which sould be faster than even the 9800GTX-X2. No proof, but I don't anyone to disagree.
So, it just a test of how long you can wait.