Help Graphics Cards

[Raven]

Having looked at one or two releases coming soon to the PC I am thinking I would like an upgrade. Currently my set up is this,

ASUS Maximus Formula Republic of Gamers iX38 Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 2.5 GHz (FSB 1333MHz) Socket 775 L2 6MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor

8 gig DDR2 800Mhz/PC2-6400 GOLD XTC Memory Kit CL5(5-5-5-18)

BFG 8800GTS 512MB GDDR3 Dual DVI TV Out PCI-E Graphics Card

I haven't overclocked it and I don't really fancy trying. I will be installing the Release candidate Window 7 tomorrow to a fresh drive and then the full version once it is out. I use a 1680 x 1050 Monitor.

I am really not sure what to get, I used to always buy ATI but then switched to Nvidia a few years back. From what I have read my best bet is to go with ATI again but I am not sure which one.

I sort of have my eye on this XFX HD 4890 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card Including Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. Game - Ebuyer

Any thoughts? Is it worth the price tag? I have set aside £250, obviously I would rather spend less though

For a few more quid there is Sapphire HD 4850 X2 2GB GDDR3 Quad DVI HDTV Out PCI-E Graphics Card **Free Game Giveaway - eligible with this item** - Ebuyer Whats the difference?

Any help would be much appreciated

 

[inactionman]

ATI are better value for money at the moment. At 1680x1050 a bog standard 4850 (I've seen them for as little as £80) will do you fine, or a 4870 (£100+) if you want some headroom.

I hate to say it, but it's your monitor that's bottlenecking you currently! You won't notice the more expensive cards. Plus the directx11 cards are out later this year, so not much point spending loads of money on directx10 cards!

 

[Bahumat]

Raven, I bought the better version of the 4890 for less than what you'd pay on ebuyer

XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XT 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (Includes Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.)
£154

 

[Moriath]

gts is a bit sucky .. Nvidia gtx 260 for around 130 or 275 for 160 .. or the ati as above .. but dont go for the 8800gts its old tech and you get much more bang for buck for 20quid or so more

 

[Raven]

Went for https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-195-AS in the end, sticking with my monitor for now, its still pretty decent Samsung, I only got it last Christmas. Though as I came quite far under budget I am thinking about getting a 2nd smaller screen.