Need pr0 help with video card choice

[Watusa]

Looking to upgrade my 8600GTS and honestly don't know anything in what's better in a video card, I just figure the higher it costs, the better it is. Need some pr0 help with this, I'm deciding on either these 2 cards:
GeForce 9800GTX (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10109251&catid=25617)

vs.

GeForce GTX 260 (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10109557&catid=25617)

Comparison of cards:

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=568&card2=571

Thanks.:boink:

[error5001]

Get this instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102797

Or a 4850, only 160 - 180 and its still pretty good.

[h4z4rd]

If I were you i'd pay a little more and get a Geforce GTX 260 Core 216. Basically it's a GTX 260 but with more processing cores. It's performance is said to be between that of a GTX 260 and a GTX 280. They cost about $300, which is a good bargain since GTX 260's are about $250 and GTX 280's are around $400.

Here's a link to a good one here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130400

[Avo]

Post your system specs and we'll find out if your CPU (central processing unit) and PSU (power supply unit) can handle power of the GPU (graphics processing unit) card. When you get a GFX card, there are other situations involved, you have to worry about if your PSU can output the desired power, if your card outputs 600watts and your PSU only outputs 400watts, then that is going to be a problem and you will blow out your power supply or not, it might overheat. So if that's the case, your gonna have to get another PSU with the correct watts that can handle the power of the card. The CPU is also a concern as well, these newer graphic cards process a lot of data, our CPU needs to be able to handle that data, if your CPU is a lot slower, then you won't take advantage of the GFX card, but you'll still be able to install it and enjoy it, but don't expect the card to run at it's full capabilities, the slower CPU will just make the Faster GPU run at the rate of the CPU. It's also important to note what Slot you have, is it a AGP, PCI or PCI-E, this will be helpful as it will connect your card to the motherboard slot. If I'm an ignorant fuck and I said something wrong, please correct me or add to what I said or more.

Also, you have to be careful, just because a new card comes doesn't mean it's the best, The thing we recent cards is that they add a few more specs on it, but it really isn't huge difference, really it isn't. Your better off looking into some of the prior cards that are cheaper and will do the same job for a lesser price. Spending 500 on a card is not only asinine, but insane as well. But if your a rich kid or have on problems spending that kind of money every 6 months or year or 2, then go ahead.

Best Video Cards for the money review (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Best-Graphics-Card,2033.html)

Graphic Card chart - compare and contrast (http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,30.html) just select the benchmark you want or a game to compare the cards.

ATI has a card out right now with good user reviews, it's an inexpensive card at around 150-160. It can play all games that are out right now with no problem, it wipes it's own ass.
ATI Radeon HD 4850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=Radeon%20HD%204850&bop=And&Order=RATING)

so post your specs.

[Watusa]

Intel Core2 Duo E6750 2.66GHZ
3gb RAM
PCI-E
and I don't really remember my power supply or how to check it. Thanks for the help so far guys.

edit: Just checked, only a 500W power supply.

[rand0m]

Nvidia is powerful, reliable and expensive

Ati is powerful, not-so reliable however less expensive.

[error5001]

Not true, I've had ATI for years with no problems. 4850 is good enough for all of todays games, and then 4870 borderlines on overkill really. Unless you have 30 inch screen and want to play crisis maxed out. For $250, get 4870. Also, a 500w psu will do fine. And the 4870 draws less power. Trust me or not, I'm not an ATI fanboy, but 4870 is the best for your price range. I have one machine with a 4850, and the other with a 9800gtx.
Best of luck on your choice.

[NMpwnsTX]

i just bought a 280 gtx for 419$ and it owns. but i had to buy a new powersupply which you would probably have to aswell if you bought a high end card. If you have the money to spend on a good card id probably buy one you know will last more than a year or two.

if you buy a 150$ card it will work great for a year maybe 2 then you start getting back to upgrading once again. As is most of these 150$ cards right now wont exactly run on max settings 16x smoothly. so if you want the best experience out of your games you might as well invest in a top card so you wont have any regrets later. but only if you can afford it...

but judging by your system your gonna need to buy a new power supply and maybe another stick of 1 gig ram if your running vista to get maximum performance, and im not really liking your processor. Overall id suggest you just get like a 8800 or maybe a 9800. Id say at your current specs your computer only has a year before you gotta think about upgrading to a new one if you wanna keep up with gaming.

[sparebenzs]

Get this instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102797

Or a 4850, only 160 - 180 and its still pretty good.

Check out this Sapphire Radeon HD 4850, i just got it, it's on sale at a deal site for only $130