Arrgh Help! Too much choice!

[SiriusB]

OK, I am ashamed to say this but I have been out of the PC hardware loop for a long time - 6 months or more, which is the equivalent of a few ice ages going by.

As a result of my heresy I am at a loss as to what to choose for an upgrade from my X1900XT. I know there are the new ATI 4890XXX2¼ that cost the same as a small moon, same with the new NVIDIA efforts, but are these monstrosities worth their orbital price tag?

I have no preference to either NVIDIA or ATI so I am prepared to go for either. I don't want this to become an NVIDIA vs ATI debate, so fanboys please feel free to hurl yourselves from a great height. Unless you have something useful to say. Then you can hurl yourself from the aforementioned great height.

My current system is

QX6600
Asus P5B Deluxe
2GB RAM [can't remember which off-hand, it is GeIL and it's orange and shiny ]
ATI X1900XT
Seasonic S-12 600W PSU

Assume for now I have a budget of 200-300 English pounds.

So... off you go.

 

[RavenXXX2]

260 maxcore would be my choice, had the 4870 512 and sold it for the 260 and IMO the 260 is now the card to get in your price range.

 

[gurusan]

41 quid cheaper than the maxcore
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail

 

[Slashiem]

Personally i would stick some more RAM in there something like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-086-OC

Then either the 4870 1Gig or the 260 maxcore, have read anything concrete but the 260 maxcore overclocks very well to 280 speed, so would be tempted for the nvida.

 

[Swordfish125]

Dont get a 4870 512mb, go for 1gb, better for higher Res and for more AA.In the same boat tbh, trying to decide between a 260 or 4870.

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Get a 260-216, don't set them off.

 

[Happy]

Get a 260-216, don't set them off.

With your budget this would be a brilliant choice

 

[gurusan]

for some reason I missed the 300 budget part.

grab a 260 maxcore and a 4gb kit

 

[easyrider]

What Res?

I wouldn't be spending 200-300 on a GFX right now with the new stuff so close to xmas coming.

Bag a 150 quid 4870 from MM

 

[easyrider]

Dont get a 4870 512mb, go for 1gb, better for higher Res and for more AA.In the same boat tbh, trying to decide between a 260 or 4870.

You don't even know what res he games at...

 

[SiriusB]

Oh, lots of replies so far.

I currently play games at 1680x1050, since that is my Dell 20"'s native res. I have no plans to get a larger screen, or play at a higher res, so anything that can make games at 1680x1050 look like the dog's danglies is alright by me!

I wouldn't be spending 200-300 on a GFX right now with the new stuff so close to xmas coming.

Oooh, what new stuff, and is it likely to effect my choice? If it is another high end card I can't see there being a dramatic change in price. Although I was going to wait until just after Christmas before purchasing.