I need help finding the "perfect" video card...

[kgproductionsinc]

Hello,

i'm in the process of buliding a new computer. i think i have put together a nice build for my price. i'm trying to keep it around the 700-900 price range.

so far i have:

Shopping Cart

Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231277
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy




$74.99

1

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103727
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant



$175.99
$165.99

1

OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX40G 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTX40G 2.5" 40GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #: N82E16820227610
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$32.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-610


$149.99
$117.99

1

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7261S-0B LightScribe Support

*

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

*

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model AD-7261S-0B LightScribe Support - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118040
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant
-$5.00 Combo



$89.94
$74.94

1

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

*

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ...
Item #: N82E16817139005
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

*

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136533
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

-$30.00 Instant
-$10.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card17-139-005


$209.98
$169.98

1

MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

*

MSI 890FXA-GD70 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813130274
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

*

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy

-$5.00 Instant
-$25.00 Combo
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate13-130-274


$299.98
$269.98

Subtotal: $873.87

as you can tell i'm right at the brink of meeting my budget but i'm missing a video card. my problem is finding the right video card for my use: i plan on using the computer for adobe creative suite (cs5), as well as playing video games, watching movies and listening to music. can i get some advise on what adjustments i need to make to get the right video card for this computer build?

 

[wa1]

You will get more benefit from NVIDIA cards (CUDA thing), so GTX460 maybe a perfect card for your need. It's about $200 and good handle most of games with decent setting...

Like this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121391
(Direct CU, allow you to control voltage, you can OC this card really high)

Or for temporary, you can get GT240:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121353
(Only $80, good for 3D works and still can play most of games with "playable" setting)

 

[nforce4max]

There hasn't been a perfect card in years but there has been a few that stand out like the GTX460 and the 68x0 on the low end and the GTX470 alongside with the overpriced 5870. The 5970 is to be avoided as it is known to have only problems and not just with only drivers. You should only go with a 5870/GTX470/GTX580/GTX460/68x0 solution if you are building this machine to last.