Help Choosing the Right Card

[imatt89]

Hi

Im looking at buying a gaming system from either overclockers or another custom shop. i have between 500 - 600 pounds to spend. now i know that i want the q6600 quad 2.4ghz chip from intel, but im stuck as to what graphics card to go for as there are so many models or makes. I must say that i am a huge crysis fan so being able to play that would be amazing but i know how intense that game is to systems.

Is there any advice i should know, or any tips on good cards?

thanks

 

[thevet]

re

what resolution are you playing at?

 

[imatt89]

the maximum resolution for my monitor is 1680 x 1050

hope that helps

 

[explicit4u]

Not 100% sure but you could try a 4870 1GB or a GTX280

 

[arc@css]

280 imo.

 

[reflux]

280s are cheap right now, or a GTX260, or Radeon 4870. What is your budget for a GPU?

The different brands available (PowerColor, BFG, EVGA etc.) merely slap their stickers on most of the cards they sell; they don't have anything to do with the actual manufacture; therefore most cards are very similar. So choose the one that you feel is the best value for money. There are some custom designs out there though, with overclocks and different coolers.

 

[Blackberries]

A GTX 280 would blow away anything you play at 1680x1050, so if you can fit it into your budget then it'd be a cracking choice! However the slashed price ones have all been snapped up now, so you might have difficulty aquiring one that wouldn't eat up half of your £600 budget. In that case, a GTX 260 or a Radeon 4870 would do still do a brilliant job.

If, however, you can't afford those either (you'd be looking at roughly £200), then most people would probably point you towards a Radeon 4850. That'd still manage swimmingly at that resolution. The HIS IceQ Turbo or Powercolour PCS Extreme models are popular versions of the card, I believe (just under £150).