8800 GT Upgrade Suggestions Needed

[upstate_boy]

Hello,

First time post on the boards and would like to say 'Hello' to everyone. I'm looking to upgrade my GPU and have around $400 to play with right now. I've been reading up on card comparisons and performance tests and cpu bottle-necking but it's a lot to absorb when you haven't kept on it.

If any of the experts on the boards could make some recommendations, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within the next couple of weeks

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming - recently played games: DAO, ME2, SC2 Beta, Bioshock 2, Borderlands, Anno 1404 - I like a mix of FPS, RTS, RPG

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY:
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
Q6600@3.0 GHz
ThermalRight Ultra 120
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Antec P182 Gun Metal Black
DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com - but open to others. I live in the U.S.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I've been looking at ATI cards but I'm open to both ATI and Nvidia

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe - I've been OC my 8800 with Rivatuner, if I get an ATI I'll probably start slowly as I'm not as familiar with ATI OC software

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'd like to make a purchase with the future in mind. I'm planning to build a new system early 2011 and plan to keep whatever card I purchase now for it.

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
For that resolution,a HD 5770 would be a very good choice

 

[wa1]

Agree with Maziar, HD5770 would be a perfect card for you...

 

[area61]

well, if you can spend 400 dollars,why not go for a hd5850...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161330
and if u can spend the extras on
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824112017

 

[wa1]

Oh,you said that you want to build a new system in the future, so save a little bit and grab HD5850, surely it good for a long term...

 

[jenkem]

5850
it's somewhat overkill for your resolution, but that just makes it more future proof. you probably won't have any problems with most games for a good while

 

[Maziar]

5850 is great too,but for 1680x1050 a 5770 suffices,however if you are going to keep it for a long time,then i vote for 5850 too

 

[upstate_boy]

Thank you all for the feedback and suggestions. I was eyeing the 5850 already and the feedback here gives me the extra reassurance to move ahead with it.