Best Current Gaming VidCard

[Sarra]

What's the best bang for the buck in current video cards?

I've been aiming to make a ~$1k gaming system using an i7 and the best gaming card I can manage, to run current games at max settings. I was going to go for one of these:

PNY GeForce GTX 260 $145 - Tigerdirect
or Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 $135 - Newegg
or MSI Radeon 4890 1gb $210 - Newegg

What do you guys think?

<3
Sarra

[apbrit2009]

4890
the 4890 beats the 260 and the 4870 in all the benchmarks i've seen
but don't get MSI, their tech support is crap, get HIS or Sapphire

[blueonblack]

I'd say bang for the buck, the Sapphire 4870. Benchmarks are one thing, but I really don't think you would see nearly enough of a performance difference in real-world use to justify $75 more. What else can you buy for this machine with that $75?

I've got the 4870 and it is excellent. (I also agree about the brand, go with Sapphire)

[FuzzyPlushroom]

The only trouble I've had with Sapphire was their occasional lack of judgment regarding poor-quality reference coolers, but with proper selection you can avoid that. I've heard only good things about their support.

[apbrit2009]

I'd say bang for the buck, the Sapphire 4870. Benchmarks are one thing, but I really don't think you would see nearly enough of a performance difference in real-world use to justify $75 more. What else can you buy for this machine with that $75?

I've got the 4870 and it is excellent. (I also agree about the brand, go with Sapphire)

the 4890 is worth it, because it can OC insanely, much more than even the ice-q 4870

[blueonblack]

the 4890 is worth it, because it can OC insanely, much more than even the ice-q 4870

Ok, I'll concede that. If you're into overclocking it may be worth an extra $75 to you. I'm not.

[Trace]

I would have to agree with everyone above me, Get either the 4870 or the 4890.

[BuzzKillington]

What else can you buy for this machine with that $75?

Lots and lots of fans. haha

[x88x]

Best bang-for-the-buck, I'm gonna stick with the 4870 and GTX260, but if it fits into the budget then, yeah, go ahead for the 4890.


That being said, what res monitor are you gonna be gaming on? If you're running anything 1680x1050/1600x1200 or smaller, then there's really no point in going higher than the GTX260/4870, imo. I have a GTX260, pushing dual 1680x1050 panels (the third panel is on my onboard 9400) and I have yet to find something that I can't push the settings all the way up and still get great framerates. Well, except for GTA4...but that's another discussion... *grumble*stupid artificial limiters*grumble*

[mtekk]

Well, with the DX11 cards coming out within two months (Well, I should specify ATI cards as Nvidia won't have DX11 volume until Q1 2010), I'd hold off any graphics card upgrades if you can wait. Otherwise I'd go with the best bang for your buck card, which of the three the 4870 would be the one to get.