New Graphics Card needed for desktop.

[WaNNaBJusTLiKeU]

Currently my desktop is running:

Windows 7
4GB RAM
Quad Core Intel Q830@2.5GHz
750 GB HDD.

However the GFX Card is built in, and is the last part of the PC I need to change in anticipation of the full version of SC2. (Beta runs fine but would like to improve it graphically, also because of new releases)

So what graphics card is reasonably priced, and will allow me to run SC2, MW2 style games. (I'm UK Based also)

Thanks for help!

 

[Jp_90]

The HD 4850 or HD 4870 should get the job done for you at a resonable price

 

[Darktau]

ATI's have ALWAYS died on me, so I would try an Nvidia 9800GT if you want bang for buck.

 

[Jp_90]

ATI's have ALWAYS died on me, so I would try an Nvidia 9800GT if you want bang for buck.

Really? Which models died on you?

 

[Xiorell]

Radeon 5850s are cracking cards, decent price too.

 

[Estocavio]

Ive had an Nvidia GTX 250 1GB for about a year, and it can run anything.

I used to have an ATI Radeon HD, but it couldnt seem to take too much pressure.
Probably just a bad choice of card, but in any case...

 

[Jp_90]

How much is an Nvidia GTX 250 now days?

 

[jamesworkshop]

How much is an Nvidia GTX 250 now days?

About £80 but really its too old a card to be brought for a new machine IMO

 

[MercurySteam]

Get a high-end Nvidia 9 Series at least and you'll be fine.

 

[Saint_Zvlkx]

I would recommend one of ATI's 5770 series of cards. They're powerful, cheap, and effective. If you have the moolah to spend, then I'd recommend upgrading to one of the 5850s. Also, one of these cards can and will run Crysis at maximum settings at a decent 30-40 FPS.
Also, you might want to check your power supply and motherboard to make sure you've got a free PCI-Express slot with some room around it, and the necessary power cables.
Also, don't be fooled- buy a card with AT LEAST 1 gig of VRAM, and DirectX11 support, and while the 4850 is a good workhorse of a card, it's not that much more to buy a 5770, which has the aforementioned DX11 support.
If you live in the US, the best place to buy these components would be newegg.com. I've never had an issue with them, they do great RMAs, and most of their items ship for free.

 

[VegetaPrinceofSaiyans]

I'm running an Intel core 2 Duo E8400, 3.0 Ghz(overclocked to 4.0) with 8 GB of RAM and running an ATI Radeon HD 4870, and it runs all the games I play on all max settings at a solid 60 fps. Tried Crysis with it once, more out of a curiosity to see what it would run like.(The game itself is garbage) and it ran a solid 30 fps on all full settings except shadows turned down. So I suggest a 4870 to you, and besides, they aren't that expensive right now, only about 100 USD atm on Newegg, which is relatively cheap for the performance.

 

[Pielikey]

The HD 4850 or HD 4870 should get the job done for you at a resonable price

^this. I have a HD 4850 and it runs Just Cause 2 like a dream.

 

[brumby]

Radeon 5850s are cracking cards, decent price too.

exactly where i'd put my money. If thats out of your price range, then the previous generation of ATi cards will also suit your needs. Ati 4870, or 4890 if you can find it. Im running 2 4850's which is about the same as a 4890. Runs Dragon Age, MW2, Just Cause 2 on high with no issues.

Buy online for the best deal, and be sure to compare a number of sites first.

 

[WaNNaBJusTLiKeU]

My price range is around £50-80, $70-100.
I've been looking into the 4850 as i've read a lot of positive things about it, and I can pick it up for £69.

 

[johnman]

Nvidia GTX 260, arent too expensive (Graphics cards wise, mine only cost £120) but still fully DX11 capable and can run pretty much anything

 

[Darktau]

ATI's have ALWAYS died on me, so I would try an Nvidia 9800GT if you want bang for buck.

Really? Which models died on you?

My brother got one built in his PC (One of the higher spec cards) a few months back, I had one from PC world ( So it's sorta understandable why it died ) within 2 weeks, and the replacement died too. And my sony vaio with the ati HD series? died and I had to send it back (within 5 weeks)

 

[gl1koz3]

All nVidias died on me and pretty much 90% of people I know. My Radeon X1950PRO still kickin', though. That Radeon X1000 must be quite a mature platform, which I want to say about the 5000 series too. Though I have no experience on the more recent cards. All I can say: just buy the cheapest performance. This nVidia pricing must go.