Which GPU as per my PC config?

Hi,

I want to get a new GPU and my PC configuration is:

ViewSonic VX1962wm 19" wide 1680x1050 resolution
AM2 5000+
ASUS M2NE 570 Ultra chip (no SLI)
2 x Corsair 1024 XMS2 6400 @ 800mhz
Seasonic 550W PSU
Win XP SP3

Now I have ASUS HD4870 1GB in my mind but I have the budget to go for GeForce280 (evga or XFX or ASUS). So what is your expert opinion? Because i ahve read in some forums that 4870 1G perofrm very close to GTX280. So should I spend extra for 280 or not?

I have played Stalker, COD4, Gears of war. currently am playing FarCry2. Planning to play Crysis, clear sky etc.

Thanks

Your 5000+ will underpower even a GTX260, maybe look at either an ATi 4850, or a faster cpu and a GTX260/280 (Intel Core 2 Quads are more like it for the latest nvidia cards )

People make such a fuss about brands wether it be AMD vs Intel or Nvidia vs ATI, there both equally as good as each other in reguards to quality, just at the moment AMD is a little behind etc on the cpu front and so on, DONT BE SCARED TO BUY ATI PRODUCTS.

Also your PSU wont power anything over that 4850

I have an FX-60 processer, and a 4 drive array of hard-disks, and a dedicated sound card. This would use more power than the op's system, and I have no problem running a 4870 using a 550 watt PSU.

As for the op's question, I would recommend the 4870. It costs less than the 260, provides similar/better performance, and if he ever decides to upgrade his CPU to a phenom/phenom II, then a little more power will be unleashed.

Even with his current CPU, gaming at his given resolution would net him the ability to play modern FPS' on full graphics regardless.

I game at 1920x1200, and can mostly achieve full whack graphics with my outdated system.

So it means I should stick with 4870 (a bit future safe) , and with the extra budget that i have I can get a "AMD AM2 PHENOM 64 X4 9550 (2.2Ghz)"

My MB supports AM2+ upto 2000MT/s, so do you think it can handle a X4 9550.

^^ brand and model is in my initial post ASUS M2NE.

is 2000FSB same as 2000MT/s ?

Few current games make use of more than 2 cores, switching to a Quad makes little sense. The MB/CPU switch is a big change, you`ll have to reinstall Windows, all your Apps and games, do not consider it lightly.
If your PSU can handle it, go for either the GTX260 (216 core) or the HD4870. Neither will run at their best with your current CPU, but both will be able to use high AA/AF as a tradeoff for slightly reduced framerates.

so it means that just switching to X4 won't do much for me. maybe i should keep the current setup and once i have enough budget i will switch to intel Q4 or i7, as the charts show intel's clear superiority over AMD