New computer... New graphics card... which one for me?

[ghepetto]

Hello everyone!
It was just a year ago that I built my last system (which failed btw) and its amazing how much graphics cards have changed. I am under the curve and am now trying to get another computer.

My question: In the current market... What is the best graphics card for gaming on the market? What is the most affordable, but still a decent graphics card?

And yes I've seen the charts but I would like to hear it from you guys... People > benchmarks ill take it from you guys.

 

[johnyeah]

The most affordable but still decent graphics card would be the 8800GT or 4850. The best graphics card is debatable. Some people go for the 4870x2 while others say 280GTX SLI.

If you list out your old system, maybe there's things you can salvage from it. Since it's only a year ago, I built my budget rig a year ago too and it's still serving me might well.

 

[ghepetto]

Lol that old system is to late my friend. I sold all the parts... Im starting fresh and with a new budget.

the 4870 is two radeon 4870's right? and the 2800 gtx sli is to nvidias?

 

[emp]

Best graphics card is the HD 4870 X2. Best most affordable graphics card would have to be hands down the HD 4850.

 

[johnyeah]

4870x2 is a single card with 2 4870 cores (which works out similar to 4870 Crossfired), while 2800gtx sli is two separate cards linked together. Sorry for the confusion there.

 

[ghepetto]

so i should probably get the 4870 since its cheaper since you only have to buy one card while the other two are like 1k?

 

[johnyeah]

Well, 280gtx sli does have better performance. Depending on the resolution of the monitor you want to work with, I'd recommend differently to have the best C/P.

 

[emp]

The HD 4850 is somewhere around $170-200 (or $140-150 After rebates), HD 4870 is around $260-290 ($240-250 After rebates I think), and the HD 4870 X2 is around $530-550.