Looking for recommendations

[farroo]

Building 2 PC's for Xmas for gifts. In my machine I currently have 2 EVGA GTX 285's running in SLI.

My plan is to use my videos cards for these new PC's and upgrade my card with just a single card for now. I have an i7, 1000 watt Corsair so upgrading shouldn't be an issue. What's the best bang for the buck right now? I don't want top of the line and would like to stay around $350ish

Or am I better off for now just holding onto the 2 cards I have and buying some midline cards for the new PC's? These PC's are just going to be budget gaming PC's and the original plan was just to stick some Radeon 6850's in them at $179 each.

 

[kovaxo]

GTX 285 Looks faster than a HD 6850 , u will do them fover that way
as for you buy an GTX 480 or HD 5870 , GTX 480 is a bit better or save some money and get GTX 470
happy xmas

 

[kovaxo]

If you like SLI get an Dual GTX 460

 

[HostileDonut]

GTX 460s are supposed to be good cards. I am getting one. In SLI they would dominate considering that one plays every game 1080p max settings.

 

[jay2tall]

That is a tough one. GTX285 SLI will outperform a single 5870 and in many cases by quite a bit. I like the idea of using them for budget gamers but $350 to replace this pair may be a challenge. Two 6850's in CF will get you better perforance, but you mentioned you want a single card. Your best bet may be waiting until December, I think it's the 8th, until the GTX 570's come out. They are basically GTX480's clocked higher using the GF110 chip. That my put you on par with your current setup.

 

[Ze Raven Effekkt]

That is a tough one. GTX285 SLI will outperform a single 5870 and in many cases by quite a bit. I like the idea of using them for budget gamers but $350 to replace this pair may be a challenge. Two 6850's in CF will get you better perforance, but you mentioned you want a single card. Your best bet may be waiting until December, I think it's the 8th, until the GTX 470's come out. They are basically GTX480's clocked higher using the GF110 chip. That my put you on par with your current setup.

470? I think you mean something else, my friend. :lol:

 

[jerreece]

This is a tricky one. And I'm thinking jay2tall made a typo.

To run a single card, and have any 'real' upgrade in performance, you'd almost be forced to get into a GTX 580. Just because the ATI 5870 and GTX 480 aren't really substantial upgrades from your current SLI performance.

Now, two GTX 460 1GBs will outperform a single GTX 480. But then you're already maxed out with SLI presumably. So what's the point there? Why not buy a single GTX 480 and add a second one later on when you want more speed?

Palit GTX 580 [$520+]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261087&cm_re=gtx_580-_-14-261-087-_-Product

Gigabyte GTX 480 Super OC (820Mhz instead of 700Mhz) $470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125350&cm_re=gtx_480-_-14-125-350-_-Product

 

[Ze Raven Effekkt]

Gigabyte GTX 480 Super OC (820Mhz instead of 700Mhz) $470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

That's a great deal for an amazingly OC 480. I only game at 1680 x 1050, so I can't justify the price for my gaming resolution. I use the little brother ,the GTX 470 SOC [:jaydeejohn:8]

Another option is to just wait and see what the 69xx brings to the table.

 

[jay2tall]

Whoops. That WAS a type-o... I meant a GTX570. To be honest, from what you have now it looks like you go pretty high end and any modest dual card setup you get will be two mainstream gamer cards. While they will perform well, you would have to replace them both to go any higher. I'd wait until the 570 comes out, should be $350-$400. You could also just go for the gusto and get a Gtx580. I've messed around with an OC on mine and with NO issues and no voltage tweaks hit 850/2100 right off the bat, I'm sure tweaking it a bit would go MUCH higher. Or just hunker down with your two 285s for now.