Graphics card for a new gaming rig

[jgbishop]

I'm building a new computer for gaming purposes, and I'm wondering what to get in the graphics card department (it's been a while since I've looked at video cards). Here's are the components I've chosen so far for my rig, for the sake of context:

■ABIT IP35 Pro Motherboard
■Intel Core 2 Duo E6850
■G. Skill 2GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) RAM
■(2x) Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB Hard Drive
■Corsair 620W Power Supply

Last I knew, the NVIDIA 8800GT cards were the best "bang for the buck" cards, but that was a while ago. What do folks here recommend I go with for the above setup? Here are a few other points that may be helpful:

■I'm willing to spend up to $325
■Typical games I play: Team Fortress 2, Oblivion, COD4, Silent Hunter 4, Half-Life 2, etc.
■I'm not planning on doing any overclocking
■Ideally, something that runs cool would be nice (but after-market cooler suggestions are certainly welcome; I currently use a Zalman VF-900 and I love it)

Any and all suggestions are appreciated, and thanks in advance!

 

[DarthPiggie]

Thats an easy choice, now if you are willing to shop online, I reccomend doing that. The best card for that price-range would be the 8800GTS G92, get it before it goes out of sale as they are no longer being produced. Lot of FPS in that list. This 8800GT will suit oyur tastes, it comes pro-overclocked so if dont OC its ok:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127329

This card runs really cool. Mine idles at around 42-45, its really good for that price.

 

[mihirkula]

Oh don't get the E6850... i strongly suggest you get the E8400 instead.

Also instead of 2 x Seagate 7200.10 250GB, get one Seagate 500gb 7200.11 .... its cheaper too.

For the PSU the Corsair 550VX is more than sufficient.

Regarding your GPU budget you can get SLI 9600GT or a Radeon 3870X2...performs better than one 8800GT. Though if i were you i wouldn't spend $320 on a GPU, considering the RV770 is just a month away.

 

[Croatoan]

Just a suggestion: I would personally use something that you may already have and wait two to three months to see how the new cards that are supposed to come out compare (ATI R700/R770, I think it'll be the 48XX series). Even if they're horrible performers they will probably lower prices of existing cards some more. I agree with mihirkula's suggestion on the processor recommendation (e8400 over the e6850). However, there are some good reasons for wanting two hard drives, like running multiple operating systems or using one for data, etc. Take care.

 

[JeanLuc]

The 8800GT IMO is still the card the get, the newer card Nvidia have launched offer no real performance gain and their arrival has made the previous generation cards cheaper making them even better value for money.

I would avoid the 8800GTS G92, normally they cost quite a bit more then the GT model but if you look at the reviews they don't offer that much of a gain. In fact if you read the reviews of the 8800 GT you will see it's hanging on to the coat tails of the 8800 GTX.

For the games you play (I play those games), this card offers ample performance and should see you good for another two years.

 

[dafeeessh]

i would go with the 9800gtx it bets all those cards by a little.