Video Card advice

[solidstatemind]

Since this isn't directly related to gaming (and for some reason, Escapist doesn't have a hardware forum), I figured I'd stick it here. Apologies if I guessed wrong.

The wifey wants a new video card. I was thinking of going nVidia this time (currently running ATI RV770 cards), however, I am clueless about the current generation of nVidia cards, and my usual tech site haunts aren't being terribly clear about them.

Budget is ~$300, but we'll go more if there is a compelling reason to step up in price. SLI/Xfire is not a consideration; she primarily plays WoW, but the occassional FPS is thrown in there too, so it doesn't have to be the top of the line, but it's gotta be solid.

So, opinions? Bonus points if you can link to benchmarks.

 

[sam13lfc]

I think the best ones are nVidia 9800 GT series, they'll run everything. You'll easily be able to afford one of those with $300

 

[Rusty Bucket]

You could grab one of the Nvidia 260's for that budget, they're in the latest generation. You could probably get an ATI Radeon 4870 for less though, and it'll run currwnt generation games fine.

 

[wordsmith]

Get a 9800GTX+ or (cheaper and similar performance) a Sapphire Radeon ATI 4870 HD. I have a 4870, I really recommend it.

 

[ratix2]

depending on where you should be able to pick up a gtx 260 (vanilla or core 216) for under 300, and you may be able to find a gtx 280 that cheap if you look around. but if yout using a 4850 then anything lower than a gtx 260 would be a downgrade from what you currently have, if its a 4870 then anything less than a gtx 280 would be a downgrade.

www.anandtech.com for benchmarks. just look under the video tab.

 

[Mr Inconsistent]

got an 9800 gt here, and really reconmend it to everyone... Good thingy

 

[ratix2]

got an 9800 gt here, and really reconmend it to everyone... Good thingy

unfortuanetly that would be a dumb move. rv7700 is the codename for the radeon hd 4800 series (4850 and 4870). going from a card as powerful as a 4800 down to a 9800gt (which btw is the same exact thing as a 8800gt, as is all of the geforce 9 series) would be a waste of time and money. as i said, if his wife has a 4850 then anything lower than a gtx 260 would be a downgrade, and if its a 4870 then anything lower than a gtx 280 would be a downgrade, so unfortuanetly if his wife REALLY wants a new video card without getting a card that performs worse then his options are VERY limited.

my suggestion, really try and talk your wife out of it man. unless you were mistaken in that you have an rv770 then theres really no reason,the 4800s are some damn good cards and getting a new one will either be a downgrade in performance or only a minor upgrade in performance given your $300 budgt.