What GFX card should I buy?

[nowwhatnapster]

So long story short, my 8800GT burned up last night, one of the sticky aluminum heat sinks on the voltage regulators fell off. I had put the Arctic Cooling S2 Fanless heatsink on it some time ago. Really enjoyed how quiet it made my system, even the temps were superior to the stock cooling.

So I need a new GFX card now

The 8800GT pretty much played all the games I play flawlessly at max settings at 1920x1200. Mainly TF2 L4D, and similar titles.

Not really sure how much I'm willing to spend, definitely not $200+ I'm more of a main stream guy around 90~160 is really where I'm looking at. I was planning on keeping my 8800GT untill a third generation of GPU's rolled out, but I cant do that now.

Also I have an SLI board ASUS-P5ND, but I don't forsee myself using the SLI capability unless its really worth it $$/performance wise. Also I've been a long time Nvidia purchaser. I am lenient towards them.

And if I could re-use my acrtic cooling heatsink that would be awesome, but i doubt it. it fits on these:

ATI Radeon
HD 4870/4850/4830
38xx , 36xx series
2600, 2400
X1950, X1900
X1800, X1650
X1600, X1550
X1300 series

nVIDIA GeForce
9800GTX+, 9800GTX, 9800GT
9600 GT, 8800GTS(G92), 8800GT, GTS250
8600, 8500, 8400
7950GT, 7900
7800, 7600, 7300, 6800
6600 series (except 7X00 GS AGP)


*edit*
Updated prices, to best available deals i could find that work as of today. I plan on buying within 6 hours.

 

[fpsdominator]

The HD4870 and GTX260 are the best bang for your buck...

But the GTX260 has better performance then the 4870.

So either one of those would work great, but i recomment he GTX260

 

[OvrClkr]

If its ATi get the XFX 4870 1GB model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

If its Nvidia get the EVGA or BFG Gts 250 1GB model :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130469

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143191

IMO the XFX 4870 1GB has a slight advantage but its the most expensive out of the 3....XFX will give you double lifetime warranty so you should take that into consideration....

As far as the 260 goes I would not recommend any of them unless you go with a manufacturer that will give you lifetime warranty and that will cost ya more than 170.00$

Hope this helps....

 

[nowwhatnapster]

I ended up getting this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130482

for 126.75 after bing cash back and 15 dollar promo code.

 

[fpsdominator]

If its ATi get the XFX 4870 1GB model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

If its Nvidia get the EVGA or BFG Gts 250 1GB model :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130469

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143191

IMO the XFX 4870 1GB has a slight advantage but its the most expensive out of the 3....XFX will give you double lifetime warranty so you should take that into consideration....

As far as the 260 goes I would not recommend any of them unless you go with a manufacturer that will give you lifetime warranty and that will cost ya more than 170.00$

Hope this helps....

Why get a GTS 250 when the GTX260 is only $30 more????

 

[OvrClkr]

Cause I would not buy a GTX 260(216) unless it had lifetime warranty and for that you need more than 160.00$

 

[Raidur]

+1 48701GB

 

[OvrClkr]

I ended up getting this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130482

for 126.75 after bing cash back and 15 dollar promo code.

Take good care of that card... once the 90 days are up, you are on your own if anything happens to the card.......

 

[TheIceMan14]

That card is surely built to deliver and can handle almost any hi-res game settings you throw at it, but for a 90 day warranty, i would take Ovrclkr's advise and take a very good care of that gfx card. Don't even think of overclocking it (although it's built to handle oc abuse) keep the stack settings and make sure your case has good cooling system and your relationship with that card would last for years...