Mid-price upgrade recommendations

[growse]

So, I'm making the leap from AGP to PCIe, and need some recommendations on what graphics card to get. I used to follow the gfx card market, but since I've been using my desktop as more of a workstation than a gaming machine, I've lost track of what's happening.

I've currently got an Nvidia 6800GT AGP and basically want something that's better for about £120-140. I'm not a hardcore gamer but I do play LFS when I get time. Current framerates on that aren't great, but livable with. I don't have any particular preference with regards to ATI or Nvidia, although I have noticed that Nvidia's software tends to be less annoying than ATIs. That may have changed though, as the last ATI card I owned was the 8500 (great in its day!)

Is there an obvious choice in this particular part of the market? Also, how much better than what I've currently got can £120 get me? Are we looking at 20% better, or 500% better? The board I'm looking to stick this in is an Asus P5E3-WS.

Thanks

 

[icey_haj]

4850 easily

 

[gurusan]

4850 5 gajillion times better.

 

[Sagalout]

I've just made the same jump. Haven't played much on the PC for ages, and my old 6800GT played what I had fine (mostly CS:S).

I'm astonished by the jump to the 4850. I'm playing CoD4, which was painful on the 6800GT, at 1980x1080 with pretty much everything maxed out and its silky smooth. And thats on an otherwise budget HTPC system.

 

[WJA96]

It just has to be the 4850. There's nothing remotely at a similar price that will touch the performance.

 

[PhoenixUK]

4 8 5 0 - at least 485% better .

 

[growse]

I'm liking the unanimous votes for the 4850. Any particular implementation that's recommended? Asus? Gigabyte?

 

[WJA96]

I'm liking the unanimous votes for the 4850. Any particular implementation that's recommended? Asus? Gigabyte?

1. What's available?
2. As they all seem to be reference designs, then I'd get the cheapest one.

 

[Wayne~]

Go for the cheapest one, they all offer the same power unless specified