Best budget graphics card for gaming

[onyxhunter]

i'm looking to upgrade my current computers graphics card because the nvidia gt 210 i have has died and is pretty horrible for gaming, in about a year and a half im going to build a complete new rig but i just dont have the money at them moment, my budget is $250, im looking for the best graphics card that i can get for gaming, on at least medium-to high settings on 1920x1080, on games like world of warcraft, guild wars 2, battlefield 3 and arma 2 C.O (Dayz).

My current specs:
Core 2 e7200 O.C at 3.1Ghz
8gb ddr3 Kingston ValueRAM KVR1333D3N9K2/8G 8GB (2x4GB)
segate barracuda 2tb 7200 3gb/s HDD
Gigabyte GA-G41M-Combo Motherboard
CoolerMaster eXtreme Power Plus 700W
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO CPU Cooler
LG GH24NS90 24x SATA DVD-RW Drive OEM

i live in australia, so parts are abit more expenisve, but i want to get the best for the budget i have. so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[zbeezz]

It looks like the new nvidia GK106 on the GTX 660(non ti) should bring down ATI prices when its released later this month. If you can wait the graphics market will have some price competition leading into november. Check the tomshardware best graphics card for the money and cross check the cards with your local prices. I would recommend a ATI 7850 until prices for the GTX 660 come out. Always spend a little extra to get the new 28nm cards.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

A HD 7850/70 would be the better choices but i can't guarantee they work with your ( i think ) 1.0 pcie mobo.

A GTX 560ti is in your budget and will work for sure.

 

[onyxhunter]

my motherboard is actually pcie 2.0

 

[exeedorbit]

PCIE is backwards compatible gents. So having a PCIE 1.0 board won't make a difference.

To answer your question, at $250, I'd go for either tha GTX 660, or the 7850. It is said that the GTX 660 outperforms the HD 7870. So unless the price on the 7870 drops some more, I'd say go with the GTX 660.

http://videocardz.com/34684/geforce-gtx-660-is-faster-than-radeon-hd-7870-costs-249

Some benchmarks for ya.

 

[mafisometal]

I would go like everyone is saying the GeForce 660 is a great card, Since the Ti just came out you may see a huge price drop on the standard model. Very good card.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

And i'm not a gent ; look at the picture . . .

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

PCIE is backwards compatible gents. So having a PCIE 1.0 board won't make a difference.

To answer your question, at $250, I'd go for either tha GTX 660, or the 7850. It is said that the GTX 660 outperforms the HD 7870. So unless the price on the 7870 drops some more, I'd say go with the GTX 660.

http://videocardz.com/34684/geforce-gtx-660-is-faster-than-radeon-hd-7870-costs-249

Some benchmarks for ya.

http://www.overclock.net/a/the-final-answer-to-the-controversial-pcie-x16-version-compatibility


660 sounds great also.

 

[onyxhunter]

Best answer selected by onyxhunter.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]