GTX 260 Confusion

[pepperjam]

Im looking at upgrading my video card currently I have a EVGA 8800 GT. I've read a lot of reviews and "best for the money" articles on here and other places and I'm still a little confused. Im interested in Evga's GTX 260 FTW edition for $307 but I keep hear so much about the Radeon 4850.

I have the money to buy a 260 FTW edition, but spending less is more attractive to me than spending more. Are the features on the GTX 260 worth passing up the 4850? I suppose in the end I care most about getting the most frames per second out of my games. So is the difference between a ATi 4850 and a GTX 260 FTW edition (or even the regular edition) worth the extra bones? Also I care a lot about heat and noise and that will sway my desicition as well, if a card will heat my room up and be noisy I probably won't get it. Thanks in advance for any help I'm really confused.

My system set up is
4gigs of 800 ram
Intel Q660
650 watt power supply
MSI p35 mobo (it does not have an extra slot for SLI mode)


Thanks!

 

[nerdnic]

4850 is a little better than your current card. The 260 and the 4870 are matched pretty equally, but the 4870 pulls ahead when filters are used. So I'd say go for the 4870 if you're looking for an upgrade from the 8800gt.

 

[Dekasav]

HD 4850 is well below the GTX260. Reason you hear so much about it is that it's a great performer and quite cheap. I don't think an HD4850 is a significant upgrade over your 8800GT, but the HD4870 is on par (usually slightly ahead with AA, 5-10%)

 

[spathotan]

4870 is still the best buy in town (well, other than the 9800GX2 but thats another story). Snag the VisionTek one for $260, Lifetime Warranty. Dont even look at other brands. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113

 

[pepperjam]

You have a almost the same exact setup as me aside from brands. What are you getting in the games you play? And why are other brands not as good as VisionTek, to be honest I have never even heard of them so I'm a tad ignorant. I bought Powercolor when I bought ATi, I was never too impressed.

 

[invisik]

both good cards. i have seen the gtx260 as low as 240$ now and i believe the 4870 is around 260$
which ever u find cheaper is the way to go.

 

[spathotan]

You have a almost the same exact setup as me aside from brands. What are you getting in the games you play? And why are other brands not as good as VisionTek, to be honest I have never even heard of them so I'm a tad ignorant. I bought Powercolor when I bought ATi, I was never too impressed.

Its not a matter of quality. VisionTek has a lifetime warranty.

 

[pepperjam]

Awesome thanks for the help everyone. Does anyone have any information on the FTW edition of the 260?

 

[invisik]

isnt it just oc? get the stock one for cheap and just oc to those speeds.