Upgrading 4870 512mb $200-$300 budget

[ovion]

Hi. Recently I've been noticing my computer getting on in years and was thinking about upgrading my graphics card probably sometime this month.

I'll be mainly using it for gaming - got my eye on BF3 and was hoping to be able to run it at fairly high settings (1680x1050), along with games like the Witcher 2, Crysis 2, Skyrim, etc.

My current specs are:
Video Card: ATI Radeon 4870 PCI-E x16 512mb DDR5
Power Supply: Hiper Type-M SLI/Crossfire Ready 580W
CPU: Intel Core2 Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz
Motherboard: Asus P5Q PRO P45 LGA775

My preferred price range is about $200-$300. I've been looking at the monthly graphics card articles and the Radeon HD 6950 1 GB looks good; I've also seen good reviews for the GTX 560 TI. Although I'm worried the CPU will end up as a bottleneck to the graphics card.

Advice? Thanks.

 

[Dereck222]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929

 

[trogdor796]

Keep in mind that BF3 will most likely be more CPU dependent than GPU Dependent. However, with your quad core, you should be fine. I would go with something like derek linked or a GTX 570 if you prefer Nvidia.

 

[SamODJ]

I'll keep an eye on this thread. My current specs are pretty much spot on with yours and, like you, i'm also looking to upgrade my GPU!

 

[0ozee]

6950 2gb

 

[browsingtheworld]

Both the GTX 560 Ti and HD 6950 will be significantly bottle necked by your CPU at it's current speed.

I wouldn't go any faster than the HD 6850/GTX 460 with your current system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

Get this while it's on sale:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500206&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL071511&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL071511-_-EMC-071511-Latest-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14500206-L03D

 

[SamODJ]

What about a q6600 clocked at 3Ghz?