Request: Vid Card Recommendation

R

r0b0t

n00b
Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
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Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my set-up and am a n00b in regards to the latest advances in video cards. I currently am running 2 x 8500gt (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150245&Tpk=8500gt%20xfx) in SLI on an XFX MB-N680-ILT9 motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141002).

With a budget of around $250, are there any recommendations as to what I should be looking at? Please let me know if there is any other info that would help.

Thanks in advance!
 
r0b0t said:
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my set-up and am a n00b in regards to the latest advances in video cards. I currently am running 2 x 8500gt (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150245&Tpk=8500gt%20xfx) in SLI on an XFX MB-N680-ILT9 motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141002).

With a budget of around $250, are there any reccommendations as to what I should be looking at? Please let me know if there is any other info that would help.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121276

I would get that 4870 for the price. if you can find a GTX 260 on the Nvidia side for that price it would be comparable to a 4870 as they are about even most of the time.
 
r0b0t said:
Thanks for the recommendation! Do you think it is even worth considering SLI these days? From what I understand it is not very cost-effective.
Click to expand...

I would take one more powerful video card over two less powerful cards most of the time. However if you are trying to game at a high resolution (24"-30" monitor) and want to max a game out with high levels of AA I would say that 2 powerful video cards in SLI or Crossfire is pretty much needed.
 
You can either get the 512mb 4870 for $220 AR (as posted above), or you can get the MSI 1GB 4870 for $270 after a $30 rebate. 512mb is more than enough for today's standards but if you want that bit of headroom, I would consider adding the $40 to get the 1GB.
 
PC_User said:
You can either get the 512mb 4870 for $220 AR (as posted above), or you can get the MSI 1GB 4870 for $270 after a $30 rebate. 512mb is more than enough for today's standards but if you want that bit of headroom, I would consider adding the $40 to get the 1GB.
Click to expand...

I would agree that if you can afford it the 1GB version will help you at 1920*1200. Far Cry 2 got an extra 8FPS over at Guru3D with the 1GB version than with the 512MB version.
 
r0b0t said:
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my set-up and am a n00b in regards to the latest advances in video cards. I currently am running 2 x 8500gt (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150245&Tpk=8500gt%20xfx) in SLI on an XFX MB-N680-ILT9 motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141002).

With a budget of around $250, are there any recommendations as to what I should be looking at? Please let me know if there is any other info that would help.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

GTX 260 or HD 4870 are your best bets. IMO, you shouldn't bother with SLI or Crossfire.
 
It really depends on what resolution your gaming at. If your at or above 1080i, then you'll want SLI. Otherwise stick to a single card. If you want to go budget, since you have the SLI mobo already, you might try to pick up 2 8800 GTXs at 100ish each used if you can. That's equal or slightly more powerful than a single 280.
 
Since you already SLI, consider these:

8800GT x 2 great buy right now, single slot, excellent performance.
9800 GTX plus; 159 dollars
or
ATI HD 4870 512 or 1GB

SLi is still great if you want to have all the graphics full on and game at 1900 or better.
 
I too recommend not spending $250 or so to merely get a faster 8x00 SLi combo. A single 4870 or GTX260 is going to be a giant leap for you
 
Simmonz said:
I would agree that if you can afford it the 1GB version will help you at 1920*1200. Far Cry 2 got an extra 8FPS over at Guru3D with the 1GB version than with the 512MB version.
Click to expand...

Yeah you have to grain of salt that a bit though because you could also say it got 250% the frames at 2560x1600 30x12. The cpu was a stock e8400. Which is to say a faster cpu or if they OC'd that 8400 to something like 4Ghz at 1920x1200 the 8frame gap you mentioned could have all but vanished. So it very much depends on the status of your cpu
 
GonzoP said:
I too recommend not spending $250 or so to merely get a faster 8x00 SLi combo. A single 4870 or GTX260 is going to be a giant leap for you
Click to expand...

Exactly. 4870 1GB would provide more than enough performance so there's no need to go with 2x8x00.
 
PC_User said:
Exactly. 4870 1GB would provide more than enough performance so there's no need to go with 2x8x00.
Click to expand...

I think it would depend on the x in your 8x00. 2 8800 GTXs would be faster than a single 4870.

But there is an advantage to a single GPU. I'd go after a 260 though, not a 4870. You can still find monster deals on the "old" (192sp) 260s.
 
Wow, thanks for all of the great replies! I feel much more informed to make a decision now.
 
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