$200 graphics card choice

[0mg_1ts_m3]

so i need a couple suggestions for a graphics card at around the $180-$250 range. i am using a 20" 1680x1050 res monitor and want it to run pretty much everything i throw at it on high settings. something that will run extremely well in crossfire or sli later would be cool too. i am thinking about getting an hd4870 but want some opinions from people who know a bit more about it than me. thx

 

[EXT64]

Well, the 4870 is an excellent card. The 1GB version is right on the top end of your range. I guess the main competitor would be the GTX260 216. I think overall they are pretty close, but each can take a decent lead depending on the game. If you want to be really safe you may want to check some reviews and see which does better in the games you play.

 

[dirtmountain]

A good recent review of 3 cards that are in your price range from Legionhardware. HD4870 1GB, GTX260 and GTX260 216
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=796

 

[dieseldre2k]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-graphics,2086-4.html - obviously the more expensive GTX260 core 216/4870 1GB will perform better, and it all depends on how future-proof u want to be vs how much u want to save now in the short term.

and this pretty much sums it up if ur picking between Nvidia or ATI:

This is one of those situations where a buyer really should look at which card is best for the games he or she plans to play (although you really can’t go wrong with either card).

 

[aevm]

What kind of motherboard do you want? If you want an Intel chipset (P45, X48) get the HD4870 because those chipsets support only Crossfire, no SLI. If you prefer an nVidia chipset (780i, etc.) get the GTX 260.

What kind of case do you want? The HD 4870 is about 9" long and will fit in almost anything. The GTX 260 is about 11" long and you need to be careful picking a case.

If you want HD 4870 Crossfire get a 750TX or PC P&C 750W. For GTX 260 SLI nVidia's recommendations are 800W to 1000W - for example Corsair 1000HX.

 

[0mg_1ts_m3]

i'm thinking of just getting a single card setup now. i'm gonna be using the antec 900 case and i'm thinking i'm gonna get a 1gb hd4870. any suggestions on which of them is the best below $250???

 

[0mg_1ts_m3]

i'm thinking a little less power card will work too, so if i end up having to spend a little less money for the one card i'm thinking either a gtx 260 with the older architecture or a 4870 512mb. will the 4870 have enough of a performance difference in games that it's completely worth the extra money? and will the gtx 260 fit in my antec 900 case?

 

[aevm]

There's a Sapphire HD 4870 1GB for $250:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

 

[aevm]

i'm thinking a little less power card will work too, so if i end up having to spend a little less money for the one card i'm thinking either a gtx 260 with the older architecture or a 4870 512mb. will the 4870 have enough of a performance difference in games that it's completely worth the extra money? and will the gtx 260 fit in my antec 900 case?

Yeah, the Antec 900 can fit anything, no worries.