Advice / Opinions sought on Graphics Options

[[DW]Cougho]

Hi All

A week or so ago I purchased a new GTX 480 from Aria for £160, as an upgrade from my GTX 260. The card arrived brand new (unlike other peoples) and worked straight out of the box with no issues. I was very happy with the performance.

Fast forward to now and I seem to be experiencing the same issue detailed in http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s...187401&st=1900 so I will be sending the GTX 480 back as i've had no luck whatsoever in fixing the issue.

This leaves me in a predicament as i've already agreed the sale of my GTX 260 - to a friends son, who is very excited about his purchase - therefore cancelling the sale is not an option.

My options as I see it are:

1. Put further money towards the £160 i get back for a 6950.
2. Put even more money towards my £160 and get a like-performing GTX 570
3. Get a cheap card (around £30) to tide me over until the 7000 series are released
4. Try and hunt down a used middle-ground card, say a 5850 as a temporary upgrade

Option 1 I'm not keen on as it means paying more money for a worse performing card.
Option 2 could leave me in the same position, as although the 500 series are less affected, it could still happen.
Option 3 Is tempting at the moment.
Option 4 I'm not sure how viable or expensive this might be?

So basically, any suggestions are welcome. My specs are detailed at the side, power and cooling are obviously no issue as the 480 was happy (when it was working).

[kalniel]

Buy a used 6950

[EvanJackPenn]

Buy a used 6950

Or perhaps get an unlocked and flashed version

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Get a GTX460 for around 100 to 110 quid or an HD6870 for around 120 to 130 quid?