The best graphics card..

I'd forget 9800GTX SLI. It costs more than a HD 4870 and more than a GTX 260, and it's not always working as nicely as advertised. For example here's a benchmark where a single HD 4870 beats 8800GT SLI (which is very close to 9800GTX SLI). The GTX 260 almost matches the 8800GT SLI too.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=15

HD 4870 $220 with free World of Warcraft
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121276

GTX 260 $200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127361

Performance-wise, they're very close. For example 82 fps for HD 4870 and 74 fps for GTX 260 are the same thing for normal human eyes and normal LCD monitors.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=14

What kind of PSU do you have? The HD 4870 and the GTX 260 both require a 500W PSU or larger, according to Visiontek and BFG respectively.

Edit: If you can find another $200 later, and your PSU is 750W or larger, get the GTX 260 so you can do SLI eventually. If not, I'd say the HD 4870 is a better deal, especially if you don't have WoW already.

In terms of what is the best card it really depends on your set up, and you answered your own question really.

So if your gonna play at 1680x1050 and two 8800 are the best at that res, then get two 8800, i dont see the problem?

First off: Is your mobo SLI or CF cabable?

Secondly, theres no point to SLI'ed 9800 GTX's with the 9800 GX2 on the market.

A 4870 usually beats a 260, but it depends on the game. Your choice would probably be dependent on your motherboard.

a single 9800 GX2 would push your current PSU, and two of them would force a PSU upgrade to a 1KW PSU.

I'm not sure offhand how big a PSU you would need to CF two 4870's, but you'd be just as good off with a single 4870X2, especially if you have a NVIDIA chipset.

Get a HD 4870 or a GTX 260 then.

The HD 4870 is better. On the other hand, the GTX 260 would allow you to add a second card later in SLI. (OK, you'd need a new PSU for that, something between 750W and 1000W, according to the nVidia recommendations. http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html. Also, you don't really need GTX 260 SLI unless you buy a 24" monitor or larger.)

BTW, your monitor works at 1680x1050 max. For that resolution the HD 4870 1GB is overkill. The 512MB version would be just as good and it's cheaper.

If you get the right GTX 260 it will do far better than a stock 4870:

The right GTX 260:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130398
"216 processing cores"

The wrong GTX 260:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130370
"192 processing cores"

Since you have an SLI board that would seem to be the best buy. You will probably never buy a second because by the time you need it there will be far better cards and platforms available... but you should get it, and hurry so you can get a free Far Cry 2 in the mail after registering

LOL at those benchmarks. 9800GTX SLI beating GTX 280 SLI, according to them.

Look, if you buy a GTX 260 Core 216 or a HD 4870 you will obviously be unhappy, even if it works perfectly. Just get the 9800GTX SLI so you can sleep well at nights, OK? Your MB and PSU can handle it all right. Just make sure you get 9800GTX+, not the older 9800GTX.

I've found a 9800GTX+ card but it's TwinTech...http://www.plaisio.gr/product.aspx?product=1185314&HYKARTAGRAFIKONMONTELO=9800GTX%2b&category=69977735&catalog=20 ..I wanted to buy a gigabyte card or at least evga...Is there a big difference between 9800GTX and 9800GTX+?

Never heard of TwinTech, sorry.

Yes, the difference is pretty big. Very big in some games. The 9800GTX+ is based on newer 55nm technology (as opposed to 65nm for the 9800GTX). This allows it to run at higher clocks and consume less and stay cooler.
http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=1297

I don't like the price at all. 169 euros for a 9800GTX+, that's almost 370 for the SLI. I'd rather have a HD 4870 X2 for 450 euros instead, or a HD 4870 1GB for 246 euros.
http://www.plaisio.gr/product.aspx [...] ct=1151517
http://www.plaisio.gr/product.aspx [...] ct=1165585

So better a 4870 or a gtx260 than 2 9800GTX(not plus)?

Yeah... Maybe even a GTX 280 or HD 4870 1GB, if you have the money. GTX 280 is 409 euros and GTX 260 is 309 euros at www.plaisio.gr.

Check out these benchmarks before you decide:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3415&p=3
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] i=3415&p=4

All right, this thread won't change your mind so you might as well stop here. You'll be fine with the 9800GTX+ SLI. Just don't get your hopes up too much, OK? It's not really the best, but it's close enough.

Check this out:
http://www.motherboards.org/review [...] 818_9.html

In Lost Planet, a single GTX 280 or GTX 260 beats the 9800GTX SLI, at least in some benchmarks.
In Bioshock, a single HD 4870 beats the 9800GTX SLI.
In Crysis the GTX 280, GTX 260 and HD 4870 all beat the 9800GTX SLI, at least at 1280x1024.

You need to find more benchmarks. Try something like "9800GTX+ review" in Google.

OK...I might buy 2 9800GTX+ and SLI them...I believe it's the best...The other way is a GTX260 or a single 4870...I'm confused!:S

a 9800 GX2 is very expensive here...I'm gonna buy 2 9800GTX+...I have Gigabyte mobo...Would it be better if I buy Gigabyte cards or there's no prob with EVGA for example|?

And if I buy 2 9800GTX+ would it be better if they were Gigabyte-as my mobo is Gigabyte- or it's just the same if the cards were EVGA?

no they aren't the 9800 GTX+ has a hard time keepign up with the 4850 (which it does) and the 260 GTX is in the 4870 category. The 260 GTX also has 384 megs of extra ram, and if you go for the 4870 1 gig u get more

Personally i wouldn't go near the 9800 GTX+ revisions, if your going to sli 2 9800 GTX+ ur better off getting 1 9800 GX2, it will be cheaper, less hassle, and also almost keep up with the frames.

Personally I'd go with the 260 GTX for ur board, and no u don't need it to be the same brand as ur motherboard. I have Asus motherboard, and bfg 280 GTXs

I've been using two 8800GT 512MB's for a year now, and would have to say my vote for sure is 9800GTX SLI. More often than not that will offer better performance than an HD4870 or even GTX280.

Cost wise, it may or may not be a great option for you. If they are significantly more mony than 8800GT or 9800GT, I'd say go for two of those.

Take a look at all the games in this review and see just how well 8800GT SLI does vs your other mentioned options.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=13

Here's one that contain 9800GTX+ SLI (again, just linking the first game, make sure to check each one, or at least each one that matters to you)
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardwar [...] /page4.asp

Thnx for all! I just wanted to check if it's better to buy a Gigabyte...!So, I'm gonna buy two EVGAs 9800GTX+ because I really loooove the cover they have! (I'm gonna buy NZXT Lexa case, so that the cards can be viewed! )