What Graphics Card should I get?

[Ceddia]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week. Spending up to $300 MAX

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming. Wanting to run WoW in Ultra while being able to run FRAPS recording without FPS loss

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY
: 256MB GeForce 7800 GT, eXtreme Power Plus 550W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: CPU - i7 930 2.80 GHz. Motherboard - ASRock X58 Extreme. Computer case has two fans running on it.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
PARTS PREFERENCES: None
OVERCLOCKING:Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (What benefit does crossfire have?)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:Running WoW on Ultra settings with FRAPS recording

Thanks in advance!

 

[jerreece]

To play WoW on Ultra, at 1280x1024 you should not need anything truly significant. An ATI 5770 or a nVidia GTX 460 768MB card would do fine for you. In fact, probably more than you'll need.

So far as SLI or Crossfire, both allow you to use TWO video cards together to generate better performance. Frankly, you don't need that for WoW regardless of the resolution you're playing at.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I'd say that a Radeon HD 6870 would fit the bill nicely and it's $273AUD which is within your budget:
http://msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=6839
By the way, crossfire is the same as SLI, it's just ATi's system while SLI is nVidia's.

jerreece is correct though, a 5770 would work just fine. I said the 6870 because I thought you wanted the best for under $300.

 

[wa1]

IF you don't plan to upgrade to bigger monitor then get HD5770 or GTX460, surely both are enough to maxed out everything at 1280x1024 and no need to crossfire/SLI.

 

[Ceddia]

I should have mentioned I plan on buying a monitor in the future with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Also, thanks for the help already!

 

[wa1]

Well, from the site I only can see HD5850 and GTX460 within $300 budget.
Both of cards are good and great OCer, so go for it, your choice.

 

[Onus]

Perhaps lower the GPU budget a little and get a decent PSU. The Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus are "extreme" in their overrating, and in the manner in which they croak.
Specific model: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-550-W-Power-Supply-Review/969/9
The 600W version, but links and comments on the whole line: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-eXtreme-Power-Plus-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1034

 

[jerreece]

Based on the Parts Price list given in your link Ceddia, they have a GTX 470 listed @ $279 to $289. For 1080p (1920x1080) I really like playing with my GTX 470 and having things maxed out.