So I have a VERY old Video card in my fairly updated system (as of last year) I need to replace the Old 6800 Ultra that's in my case. Since getting a 24in Samsung 245T for xmas the 1920-1200 resolution has been maxing out this card I have and Its time to upgrade
.
The main question is does the PCIe x16 slot in the Mobo really limit the performance of these new PCIe 2.0 cards? So I need to upgrade to a Mobo with a 2.0 slot? Is putting one of these cards in my PCIe x16 slot a waste?
Mainly I am doing alot of high res Photo Editing, Light Multimedia but have been limited by my Card on the HD and high Res multimedia. Light gaming.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Here are the specs to my system

Intel QX6700 Quad Extreme
Intel Mobo 965LT 1066 bus
4 gigs DDR2-800
Samsung 245T 1920x1200
EVGA 6800 Ultra
150GB WD Raptor

there is no difference in performance
 
4850 if you want to spent a little more go for 4870

4870 is allot better than the gtx260 and cheaper asswell
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/foru [...] s-includes

PCIE 2.0 is only going to make a difference with a very quick card setup...ie 9800gx2 ....4870 crossfire or perhaps a single gtx280. Even then you wont lose much with only PCIE 1X.  
 
I would get the 4870 for that resolution.

There were some tests done with different cards in pcie 1 and 2 slots.   There was a minor difference, but it was so small as to be not noticeable.   I can't remember the link.   Pick the card you want without that particular consideration.

HD 4870 BEST PICK

Go for the 260. It has a larger memory interface. I OWN a 4870. They're not as badass as everybody says. They are good....... but

What i like about the ATI is its 512mb vs 8XX MB for the Nvidia, You would think I would go for the one with the high amount of memory but all that does it allocate less to my O/S and other programs as windows limits total memory with the 32bit XP Pro and the 4 gigs I have in my case gets knocked back to about 3 gigs or less. And if the 512mb in the ATI performs as well or better then the Nvidia then why sacrifice memory allocation from the rest of my system?
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I am leaning towards the ATI for the cumulative benefits as stated.

Games in the future are memory interface hungry, so GTX200 serie from NV will own 4800 series

 
 
Concrum...is there a way that you can prove this?  If you have a way to know this for sure, I would love to know as well.  Thanks for the help.

From the benchmarks I've seen so far, including Tom's Hardware's review of the 4870, I'd lean that direction.
 
They're saying the 4870 is cheaper, and out performs the 260.
 
Although, either one of them will seam like a Ferarri compared to your old 6800 Ultra. lol
 
Ironically, I've got a couple 6800's laying on my desk right now if anyone likes vintage hardware.

4870... this has been asked several times this week
 

Isn't ATI 48xx card ahead in inclusion of HD, HDMI, and RayTracing capabilities?  Or do I have to go read more?  I think those are simply INCLUDED now - am I right?
If so, that might mean an upgrade for your capabilities re year-old mobo?

 
see don't listen to concrum as he trolls alot,  
 
The GDDR5 will of set the loss in actualy memeory amount btw, well in this situtaion yes, the gtx260 is not superior to the 4870...
 
check the benchmarks they are everywhere now....
 
silly silly concrum, wilst thou ever learn?

 
I've got a 680GT which has been flashed to the ultra speeds it still is an amazing card, well for odler games anyways like CS:S, DOD:S, HL2, doom3, u know the oldies but goldies!

I bought the 6800 Ultra when my Mobo needed to be upgraded to a PCIe slot from an old AGP MOBO, now I thought i might have to upgrade the Mobo again for the PCIe 2.0 but it seems i dont have to.  
As for the 6800 Ultra, it has served me well for the last 4 years. Its seriously shown its age since upgrading my Monitor to a 24in 1920x1200 otherwise it can still handle games on CRT type resolutions.
 
I have some vintage ATI cards as well Frozen! Hows an ATI 9800 Pro sound? AGP 8x baby! Its only like 7 years old. but sits on a shelf next to my Old P4 3.4 and Old Mobos.

I have looked at getting a 26" monitor, belive it or not the GTX 280 was beat by the 9800GTX GX2 at the higher resolutions and had the best performance.  It's really is going to depend on what size display you are using.  A single 4870 won't get allot of performance on a 26" monitor compaired to a GTX 280.

26in is an odd size, 24in at 1920x1200 is what i am after, the best Card at this resolution is what i want. I think I will order the ATI tonight unless someone can convince me why i should consider the Nvidia GTX 260 for some other reason then they like Nvidia

4870 is the better buy right now - that alone is good enough reason to get it unless you intend to use dual cards and you already own a good SLI motherboard

4870 for a 24"

24" and 26" are the same 1920x1200 as far as the vga card is concerned.  Just different pixel sizes.