Help Choosing Video Card

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PC_User

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I'm in the process of replacing my 4850...looking for a new card. Currently considering the GTX 295 or 4870x2, but I'm looking at others as well.

I play games and want this card to last for some time. I'll be using it on my 24" (1920x1200) monitor and want to have the highest visual settings enabled (AA also if possible).

Overall, which would you recommend?

I should mention that I have a certain deal through which these are the prices I would be paying:
Sapphire 4870x2 - $330
GTX 295 - $360
Asus GTX 285 - $262
Innovation GTX 280 - $240
MSI GTX 275 - $183
Radeon 4890 - $180
Radeon 4850x2 - $240
 
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if that is your price range I would go with a pair of 4890. 360 and better then the GTX295 (kind of a slap together card) I can't see either the 4870X2 or the GTX295 with a pair of the faster 4890 the same price

for a single card solution I would go the 4890 or the GTX275
 
I prefer a single card solution, but will consider CF/SLI if it's really worth it. I've never had a CF/SLI setup, but I've heard it is only of benefit when the games actually support CF/SLI. I've also heard that it sometimes leads to problems, but not sure if this is entirely true.
 
PC_User said:
I prefer a single card solution, but will consider CF/SLI if it's really worth it. I've never had a CF/SLI setup, but I've heard it is only of benefit when the games actually support CF/SLI. I've also heard that it sometimes leads to problems, but not sure if this is entirely true.
Click to expand...

yes and no, some people run into issues and and sometimes it takes a while for a game to get supported. By and large both red and green are getting better and it is a good high end solution. however 98% of current games will run fine at 2.3mp with a 4890 or a GTX275. I like running high levels of AA and like CFAA so I tend to favor ATI cards currently. OA is a neat Nvidia feature that I really can't use just yet so I am hoping drivers improve for it. so your not really going to make a bad choice with either of those two cards. If AA is important the nod goes to ATI.
 
Now I'm considering 2 4890s in CF. However, I've never had a crossfire setup so I have a question:

What are the potential issues? I've heard of people having problems with drivers, game support, crashes, etc... Other people don't have any problems at all. What is the truth regarding a crossfire setup? Is it a justified 'risk' over a single-card setup?

Perhaps it makes even more sense to just go with a single 4890 1GB, since I don't know if I'll be able to tell the difference between 50fps and 100fps, let alone 100fps and 150fps. Any thoughts?
 
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