I was asked this question so I thought I would pose it to you guys

[trt740]

What do you think is the best Video card for playing games at 1680x1050 in Vista 64 or a Windows 7 enviroment. What I'm asking for is what card with the best bang for the buck including overclocking would you rcommend someone buy sub 200.00. My recommendation was a 260 gtx 192 card for 144.00 after a rebate. I believe he could play just about any game maxed setting for the near future. However, since I don't own a 4800 series card or for that matter even a 250 gts and with new driver releases coming out every week what would you recommend.

 

[Paintface]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131148

if you want a slightly faster card with custom cooling that is stock overclocked, costs 10 bucks more.

 

[BrooksyX]

I would pick up a 1gb 4870. These can be had for $120 now if you shop around.

 

[erocker]

1680x1050 = HD 4870 or GTS 250. My tip of the cap would go to the 4870 due to it's superior performance with AA.

 

[Darknova]

4870 1GB. Mine maxes everything out at 1680x1050

 

[trt740]

1680x1050 = HD 4870 or GTS 250. My tip of the cap would go to the 4870 due to it's superior performance with AA.

4870 1GB. Mine maxes everything out at 1680x1050

so at the same price you would take the 4870 1 gb ddr5 over say a 260 gtx 192 or 216 898 mb

 

[BrooksyX]

so at the same price you would take the 4870 1 gb ddr5 over say a 260 gtx 192 or 216 898 mb

your not gonna find a gtx 260 for the same price as a 4870. Ati's 5xxx series is just around the corner. Because of this the 4xxx series prices are dropping like crazy.

 

[trt740]

your not gonna find a gtx 260 for the same price as a 4870. Ati's 5xxx series is just around the corner. Because of this the 4xxx series prices are dropping like crazy.

there are several 260 gtx cards and 4870 1 gb card price within 10.00 of each other

 

[Darknova]

so at the same price you would take the 4870 1 gb ddr5 over say a 260 gtx 192 or 216 898 mb

192, absolutely, 216, that's a difficult question. Depends on if you absolutely MUST have PhysX, which I don't, not impressed by it at all.

 

[BrooksyX]

there are several 260 gtx cards and 4870 1 gb card price within 10.00 of each other

Last week you could pick up a new 1gb XFX 4870 for $119. I think the deal is dead now but thats a lot more than $10 lower than any gtx 260 I have seen. Keep your eyes open and there will be more 4870 deals in that price range.

Also tiger direct had a similar deal after bing cash back. Unfortunately they just sold out this morning I think.

 

[ShadowFold]

I'd take an HD 4870 1gb over a GTX 260 any day. I've owned both too, the 4870 gave me better FPS in source games and AA performance was a bit better. I did LOVE the Crysis performance with the GTX 260, but honestly, that's just one game. I play Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty and Unreal 3 games the most, and I liked the results with the HD 4000's more.

 

[mastrdrver]

You could probably pick up a 260 from Tiger Direct if you really wanted one for cheap. Bing.com shows up a cash back of 15% at TD when you do a search for dvd burner. Though, I guess you could also save on a 4870 too, so......

 

[DanishDevil]

If I can get my grubby hands on that sexy ASUS ROG MATRIX GTX 285, I'll sell him my EVGA GTX 260 core 192. I'm nearly maxing almost everything @ 1920x1200.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

The card paintface linked is the same powercolor card i've got,its pretty quiet too.

 

[erocker]

I'd take an HD 4870 1gb over a GTX 260 any day

For the same price I'd be jumping all over the GTX 260 216 or 192 over the 4870. It's faster, runs cooler, quieter, is big and impressive looking when you want to show off to your extra nerdy girlfriend or wife.

 

[ShadowFold]

I'd take an HD 4870 1gb over a GTX 260 any day. I've owned both too, the 4870 gave me better FPS in source games and AA performance was a bit better. I did LOVE the Crysis performance with the GTX 260, but honestly, that's just one game. I play Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty and Unreal 3 games the most, and I liked the results with the HD 4000's more.

Updated my post with more reasoning

 

[MilkyWay]

GTX 260 216 or 192 same reasons as erocker, its not that expensive anymore anyway.
So reasons i guess are better stock cooling than ATi cards, run cooler, slightly faster, random amount of memory like 800 odd mb lol, the 192 clock fast, stock is quieter than ATi stock, 1680x1050 will get smashed by it, most games will run at 60fps and above on high detail only games i think dont are gta 4 and crysis.

Its a good card im a tad biased since i own it but better to have experience from a few owners of both cards.

AA and AF has improved recently on drivers for Nvidia still not as good as ATi cards i hear.