Need Advice on new card, 400-500USD budget

[Hackerpcs]

I'd like some advice on a new card. I'll follow the sticky topic template to be as accurate as possible:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: From one to two weeks till late September BUDGET RANGE: 400-500USD or 300-400 Euros

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: High-end gaming, HD watching (High bitrate 35Mbps< , not x264 2000-3000kbps)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: ASUS Nvidia Geforce 9800GTX 512MB and 800W PSU (don't remember the brand)

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.16 default settings, 4x Xtream DDR3 1066 1GB RAM, ASUS P5E3 Motherboard, NZXT Lexa Blackline Case

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: No, will be Greek e-shops

PARTS PREFERENCES: CARD MUST BE 11 OR LESS INCHES because of the case being too small:
NZXT Lexa Blackline

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No / Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Samsung SyncMaster 245B+, 1920x1200 max, HDCP Compatible

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The main goal of my card upgrade is to run Fallout New Vegas and Crysis 2 at max settings, Fallout New Vegas with much filters enabled (if not all) and Crysis 2 with all DirectX 11 settings enabled (much like "Very High" setting in 1) and no or little filters enabled. Every two years I do a graphics card upgrade and it's now 2.5 years since my last card upgrade.
I've searched a little and found the GTX 270 with bargain 8%, from 497USD (378 Euros) to 458USD (348 Euros):
PNY GEFORCE GTX470 1.3GB PCI-E RETAIL
If it's good to wait for new card releases please tell me, I'd like to know.

 

[a7xfire]

GTX480 or a crossfire setup

 

[Tamz_msc]

To get the best performance, overclock your CPU to around 3.8 GHz and get a GTx 470 which fits your budget in Greece.

 

[hell_storm2004]

HD5970, isnt it around the $600 mark? But i think its 12 inches long. It can slide into your HDD drive bays, but you have to check for that. Please mention your PSU brand. If its a low quality one, then you may need to change that.

 

[Hackerpcs]

hell_storm2004 not possible, all bays used. No it's not low quality, I just don't remember the brand.

@Tamz_msc: Yes, overclock will be done to CPU as Enzotech Ultra-X allows much overclock (reached 4.4 once, 10.58 sec 1M Super Pi) and also to avoid bottleneck issues.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm thinking of upgrading when new cards series of both ATi and Nvidia and Fallout New Vegas and Crysis 2 comes out in Q4, so see you in late October.

 

[Petey1013]

I'd upgrade to a i5/i7 system if possible. But SLI GTX 460s should fall in that range and will give u the best performance