EggXpert

Hello all -

 My current computer as follows:

  - Motherboard is an ASUS P5E (has 2x PCI-E v2 16x slots - room for a double-slot card)

  - Quad-core processor overclocked to 3.0GHz (Q6600)

  - 8 GB RAM

  - Vista 64-bit Ultimate

  - Direct-X 11 (using instructions from Tom's Hardware)

 - Samsung SyncMaster 226BW monitor

 - Geforce 8800GT Video card (being retired)

 - Antec 900 case, with 650 watt PSU

I'd like to get the best new video card I can for somewhere between $300and $400.  I'd like a single card. 

From what I've read, Radeon's 5000 series with 1GB of RAM is a sweet-spot for my system and budget.  Not sure what the difference is between the 5850 and the 5870 (except the price).  Also wondering if there is something I should wait for from Nvidia?

 Thanks in advance guys.

Here is a comparison.  The 5870 seems like it is worth the extra.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650

The 5870 is hard to beat but the Nvidia GTX295 is right up there.  One drawback of the Nvidia is that it takes a minimum of 680 watt PSU so you would also need a new PSU especially if you overclock.

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Thanks very much fabulouscoops.  The link was helpful.  I like the the way the 5850s were described in relation to the 5870s (smaller, quieter, lower power, quieter, 30% expensive, and 15% slower) - but they aren't in stock.  5870s arent in stock either.  Guess I'll wait a bit  :)

 Anyone else want to weigh in?

You need to be fast on the 5870s.. They go in and out of stock in a matter of hours..  You need to set it up so you will automatically get e-mails the instant it gets back in stock and have the e-mails go to your phone so you be sure to get the e-mail right away.. Then hopefully you're fast enough to jump on and order it before the shipment is gone again..  It will likely be this way until the end of November when nvidia releases their 300 series which will be able to compete against AMD's 5000 series. Right now, the entire 5000 series is pretty much unrivaled..

 Good luck getting your hands on one..  

Mostly just want to update the PC - it's 2 years old now.  Thinking  a new video card will buy me another two years on it.  Doing it 'right now' isn't so important.  Before Christmas would be nice - the kids will have new games, and my credit card wont be red-lined yet.  Built the PC to play Crysis (remember that game?).  Will be interesting to load up Crysis with a new video card and see if it's smooth on maximum every thing  :).

Thanks for your help guys.  I'll keep an eye on inventory levels for the 5870s and 5850s.  And also look for availability and user ratings on the new 300 series models (assuming I cant easily get an ATI before then).

 This site is great!

You might want to wait until Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you might see some great deals..