Graphics card choices?

[J.B]

Its been a while since I've really looked at graphics cards, my current set up is 2 8500's Sli'd which works pretty well but Im fed up of switching off Sli off every time I want to use 2 screens!

So Im thinking I might buy a new gfx card. Possibly leave one 8500 in to drive the second monitor and then a new one for my main monitor and gaming. I love FPS so would like something to enjoy COD5 when it comes out!

Anyway, my point is I dont really know what to buy, Im planning on spending 100-150 so Im open to your suggestions. I've always bought nVidia in the past but would consider a change.

 

[reflux]

What res do you play at - 4850 or a 4870 I think.

 

[Shocky-FM]

For £100-150 your only good option is a HD4850 or 9800GTX+, or you could stretch it to a HD4870 or GTX260 for £182.

 

[J.B]

mmm.... i guess I could stretch. I saw the GTX260 but didnt really understand what series these fall into, as in I know the 9xxx series is newer than the 8xxx series of GeForce cards. Could someone explain what these are all about?

I'll be playing at 1680x1050.

If I had an ATI card and a nVidia card in the same machine would the drivers interfer with each other?

 

[Pandobear]

I would have a think about replacing both the 8500s with a single 4850. The 4870 has higher power requirements and may not be worth the extra money at the res that you are playing at.

 

[jrodga2k5]

mmm.... i guess I could stretch. I saw the GTX260 but didnt really understand what series these fall into, as in I know the 9xxx series is newer than the 8xxx series of GeForce cards. Could someone explain what these are all about?

I'll be playing at 1680x1050.

If I had an ATI card and a nVidia card in the same machine would the drivers interfer with each other?

Single card options are pretty clear....

£110+ 4850
£130+ 9800GTX+
£160+ 260GTX(Try to pick up the 216 version?)
£175+ 4870

Now for 1680x1050 I know that the level of the 4850/9800 will run games perfectly well. I would probably myself go for the 4850 on this occasion as it will handle the res fine and with AA will run great still. Also the performance rise on any of these cards will be immense from what you are currently running.

Also I much prefer ATi's multi-monitor as for some reason I have no problems there yet problems with the NV stuff sometimes go figure.

 

[Strife212]

mmm.... i guess I could stretch. I saw the GTX260 but didnt really understand what series these fall into, as in I know the 9xxx series is newer than the 8xxx series of GeForce cards. Could someone explain what these are all about?

I'll be playing at 1680x1050.

If I had an ATI card and a nVidia card in the same machine would the drivers interfer with each other?

GTX 260 is the second most powerful nvidia card after GTX 280, its way more powerful than 9800GTX+