Help me pick a graphics card?

[EdwardTobia]

Hey all,

Time for a new graphics card...

I did have a Radeon 4850 512MB Overclocked, which ran pretty well but decided to sell on to a friend and buy another "better" or "equal" card, and i do plan on overclocking the card for more performance...

So far im deciding between:

Palit nVidia GTS 250 1024MB

GeForce 9800GT 1024MB

Sapphire ATi HD 4770 512MB

The card will be paired with the following system:

AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition
8GB DDR2 800 (4x2GB)
Corsair TX 750 PSU


Which one of these is the best? i hear a lot of good things about the HD 4770 once overclocked, but would the 128bit 512MB of memory be a bottleneck for todays games?

All help appreciated guys...

[crazycanuck]

Those are good cards..

My votes would be for one of these.

GTX 260 core 216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130441

Or

GTX275
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130478

I don't know what your Phenom is clocked to but The gts250,gtx260 or GTx275 need higher cpu clocks to really let them stretch their legs. 3.2-3.4 ghz seems to be the common sweet spot.

Pair that up with Windows 7 64 bit and 2 more gigs of the same ram..and you'll be sitting pretty nicely. (unless your using Vista 64 then your GTG)

[EdwardTobia]

Unfortunately im in the UK so cant use newegg :(

Prices here in the UK are more expensive than in the US as you probably already know...

Im looking to spend around £100 +/- £10

The GTS 250 1024MB GDDR3 is £93.99 delivered which is a pretty good price...

I have also found a XFX HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 going for £110 delivered

Which of these would be the best grab? or if you know of any other cars within my price range feel free to recommend one...

Thanks

[crazycanuck]

well i can't speak for the 4870...although i have heard good things about the card.

I have never used ATI cards, only nvidia.

The GTS250 is definitely no slouch. Its the 9800GTX rebranded as the gts250.

What games are you playing and what resolution is your monitor?
Are you comfortable with overclocking your cpu?


here i found this in an online Uk store.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-004-OE&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=927

Its a better card and right in your price range.

[EdwardTobia]

Yeh thats the website im planning on using (overclockers.co.uk)...

I am now debating between the HD 4870 1024MB and the GTX 260/216 896MB

HD 4870 works out around £110 delivered and the GTX 260/216 works out around £125 delivered

It seems that the 260 core 216 is the better choice?

I been out of the scene for a while so not sure whats better than what at the moment...

[crazycanuck]

Personally i would go with the GTX260 core 216. Larger shader pipes (hence the 216 ) and I know from people that have that card they have no complaints about it.

[Ginge]

http://www.ebuyer.com/

Is cheaper than Overclockers, and has been more reliable for me.

[Buff]

The HD4870 1GB version outperforms the GTX260 core 216 actually.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415

[johncarr79]

I got a 4890 for less than £140 and it's mint, I only use 1360x768. So I can't comment on the crazy resolutions some people play games at. The 4870 should be as good as really.

[Baron_Fel]

The HD4870 1GB version outperforms the GTX260 core 216 actually.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415

That bench is a year old, look at something more recent (http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5870-review-test/19).

[renegadeafk]

The cards in your post are slower than a 4850. For better or equal go for a 4870, you can get one for under $140, very good for the performance.

The GTX 260 core 216 is a bit faster than a 4870 but not a huge amount and its generally more expensive.

[steveroger]

The HD4870 1GB version outperforms the GTX260 core 216 actually.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415

That bench is a year old, look at something more recent (http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5870-review-test/19).

That link is wrong: (URL="http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5870-review-test/19")

The cards in your post are slower than a 4850. For better or equal go for a 4870, you can get one for under $140, very good for the performance.

The GTX 260 core 216 is a bit faster than a 4870 but not a huge amount and its generally more expensive.

I think the over clocked version of the 260 216 is the one to buy if you go that route. Otherwise the 4870 is a good card.

[Combat Medic]

I would suggest the ATI Radeon HD 5850.

[lhwj]

I got a 4890 for less than £140 and it's mint, I only use 1360x768. .

Lol. A pure example of overkill :D

I would suggest the ATI Radeon HD 5850.

Wouldn't think so. OP's budget is only £100.

512 MB 4850 for £97.74. http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Graphics-ATI/ATIHD4870Series/XFX/HD-487A-YWFC.html

1 GB 4850 for £108.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Graphics-ATI/ATIHD4870Series/Hightech/H487F1GP.html

Luke