I need to a new graphics card so I can start gaming on my computer. Right now, I have a cheapo card that's just there so I can have video. So here's my setup:
Q6600
XFX 680i SLi LT mobo
Mushkin 580 watt psu
Crucial Ballistix 2x2gb DDR2 800
WD Black 640gb hd
DVD burner
I'm about to get a 24" 1080p hdmi monitor so I need a card that will give me a really good picture quality on it. The cards I'm looking at are the 9800 gtx+ series, the 250 gts series, and the 260 gtx series. In the future, I'm gonna add another 24" monitor so I need a card that will allow me to do that. I'm gonna add a second video card as well for SLI. I need to keep the price under $200. I'm gonna play games such as Fallout and other rpg type games. I might get into the fps games as well. I don't really care about playing Crysis on max settings and all that mess.
So basically I need a card for SLI that will make my games look really awesome on my new 24" monitor without breaking the bank and will allow me to use dual monitors in the future.
Also, if I have 2 video cards, can I use each of them for a different monitor?
if you want to go SLI for under $200, you can try two 9800GT if you can find them cheap with a rebate. otherwise nvidia has no good SLI options for under $200. ATI has the 4770 crossfire option for $200 but you cant run that on your board.
a 4870 1GB or 260gtx 1GB will work for you and probably outperform the SLI option for under $200.
If that is too much, then as you have already said, the GTX260 is the best way to go, it already has good performance at 1920x1200 (or 1920x1080) and can easily be found for under $200.
My advice would be this: Do not get an overclocked card, when you SLI you may not be able to find another, so the slower card will force the faster, overclocked card down to its speed, making it a waste of money, and there is no guarantee the other card will overclock to match it. Look for a good warranty and REGISTER the card in order to get it: EVGA, XFX and BFG have the best. Check the cooler will fit, particularly in the lower slot when you go SLI. You will need more power later on: 750W from Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, OCZ or Pc Power and Cooling will do nicely. And finally look around, deals change all the time and Newegg seems to be fond of 'weekend specials', so keep your eyes peeled.
Thuogh I must say, with dx 11 coming there is a good chance getting a second one in the future would be a waste of money.. but we will ahve to see how the new cards perform.
dx11 comes out this fall in the USA with windows 7 launch but...most game developers have just started working with 10. Games using dx11 are several years out. There is no need to hold out for a dx11 card, you will probably need to replace your PC by the time games really need a dx11 card.
most PC games are still played on windows XP and will be for some time. game developers are not about to leave all those people out in the cold.
Oh ok. I'm running the Windows 7 RC right now....it's great, but that's another story. So it looks like I'm gonna get the gtx 260. Now just to decide which one.