Best Mid Range Graphics Card?

[Bazzlad]

I'm nipping to the states in September and want to buy a decently meaty graphics card whilst there.

I'd like to not have to update it for a few years, and for it to throw around games such as FarCry and CSS.

I'd like to spend approx $300 if poss, and I'll be honest, I've been reading the reviews, but unless you keep on to of these things, there's too much information to digest!

Was thinking - Inno3D iChiLL 7900GS 256mb.

Good choice? Bad choice? Help me make an informed decision!

Cheers

[staffsMike]

You can get the 8800GTS 320mb here for around £170 so that should fall in your price range.

It will run pretty much anything coming out for the next couple of year with high detail in high resolutions

[Mad-Max]

I would of thought something like this

512MB Power Color RX1950 XT at £136.89 inc.vat

or if you want nvidia a 7950gt or look for a cheap 8800gts/2900 while you are you there.

[timread]

320MB 8800 GTS cards appear to be going for $280-320 on newegg, but closer to $350 at BestBuy. If you're buying retail in the US, you should be able to get lucky and pick up a 320MB 8800GTS card for around $300.

[abeacock]

I'd also go for the 8800GTS 320.

[Blitzen]

Amazing its classed as a Mid Ranger now when its the 3rd best card on the market.

Just shows how fast things move tbh.

1. 8800Ultra
2. 8800GTX
3. 8800GTS

[Pob255]

Well I wouldn't call it a mid range card, but if Bazzlad has $300 to spend and can find a 8800gts for that price in the US then why get a mid range when you can get a high end?

Was thinking - Inno3D iChiLL 7900GS 256mb.

just don't think of buying it for $300, a quick look at newegg and you're looking at $140-180

for $300 you should be able to get a 7950GT in a shop or with good haggling/pushing budget you might be able to get a 8800gts.

[Bazzlad]

$300 is my top dollar (haha) Literally - if I can get a bargain, I'll spend the $300, if not, and it'll do the job, less will do - the iChiLL 7900GS should last a while, shouldn't it?

Still if I see a sub $300 8800gts .....

[staffsMike]

you might luck out and find something like a 7900GTX/GTO or a 7950GX2 in a bargain bucket as they are EOL. 7950gt or ati 1950xt would probably be my choice if you dont want to spend it all.

I imagine you will find the GTS for around less than 300 though and it will last you a lot longer than the other cards will.

[this_is_gav]

Yeah, 1950XT here too - best bang for the buck in my opinion. 8800GTS would be nice, but the X1950XT isn't exactly blown into the weeds. It'll still run 90% of things at full detail.

[godsdog]

PNY 8800 gts 320MB @ ClubIt for $265
evga 8800 gts 320MB superclocked @ Zip zoom fly for $299

I'd also be amazed if you didn't pick up a 320MB 8800 gts up retail for below $300, spose it depends whereabouts you are and how long you have to browse around and shop.

Amazing its classed as a Mid Ranger now when its the 3rd best card on the market.

Just shows how fast things move tbh.

1. 8800Ultra
2. 8800GTX
3. 8800GTS

I guess if you started stacking them up against a Quadro FX 5600 and the like they'd wind up mid-range price wise.

[CooperXS]

Amazing its classed as a Mid Ranger now when its the 3rd best card on the market.

Just shows how fast things move tbh.

1. 8800Ultra
2. 8800GTX
3. 8800GTS

That puts HD 2900XT 512MB & 1GB aside...ROFL

X1950XTX can still wipe the floor with 8800GTS 320 in several modern games, not to mention it's ability to run F@H

[acrobat]

wouldn't places like NewEgg need to deliver it somewhere? If you are staying in a house or appartment for a while, that could be ok. But if you where only going for a week, and staying in a hotel or something. It might be tricky.

But yeah, newegg is where all the americans buy from, because its so cheap and reliable. There are a few other places that are good though. And yeah, it would be worth getting the 8800gts - even if it was slightly over your budget, it would be worth stretching slightly. Because its a great card.

[Thorsson]

X1950XTX can still wipe the floor with 8800GTS 320 in several modern games, not to mention it's ability to run F@H

It's true that the stock 8800GTS 320 is outperformed by the 1950XTX in some titles at, say, 1900x1200, with 4AA enabled (wiped the floor is an overstatement). This is where the 320 hurts compared to the 640. Based on the graphics budget it seems reasonable to assume that the OP doesn't have a super-large screen and therefore won't have the problem.

You'll also notice the "stock" bit at the start of this post. The GTS is a much better overclocker than the 1950XTX, and many examples come OC'd from the factory.

[Biscuit]

You can get the 8800GTS 320mb here for around £170 so that should fall in your price range.

It will run pretty much anything coming out for the next couple of year with high detail in high resolutions

no it won't! it will play current games in high resolution with high graphics but its the first of a whole dx10 range of games. remember the fx range, that was dx 9 if I'm not mistaken, but cud never handle dx9 settings. this card will play games for a few years but within the year be prepared to lower the gfx for decent frame rates

[staffsMike]

I didn't say max settings I said high lol.. and by high i mean 1680 x 1050 and below.

Crysis is supposed to run at max settings on the 8800GTS so I can't see why it would struggle with other future dx10 releases.