Best PCIe Card: $300 To $390
Best PCIe Card For ~$300-$330: Tie
Exceptional 1920x1200 performance in most games, 2560x1600 in most titles (some with lowered detail)
Two Radeon HD 4870 1GB cards in CrossFire configuration (Check Prices)
| Two Radeon HD 4870 1GB in CrossFire Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x RV770 |
| Process: | 55 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 1,600 (2 x 800) |
| Texture Units: | 80 (2 x 40) |
| ROPs: | 32 (2 x 16) |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 750 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 900 (3,600 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10.1/SM 4.1 |
Two Radeon HD 4870 cards are even more compelling when equipped with gobs of memory, and $40 is all it takes to up the ante from a pair of 512 MB cards to a pair of 1 GB cards. As usual, make sure you have a CrossFire-compatible motherboard and a good power supply so that you can enjoy the 3D horsepower these monsters offer.
Two GeForce GTX 260 (Core 216) cards in SLI configuration (Check Prices)
| Two GeForce GTX 260 (Core 216) cards in SLI Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x GT200 |
| Process: | 55/65 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 432 (2 x 216) |
| Texture Units: | 144 (2 x 72) |
| ROPs: | 56 (2 x 28) |
| Memory Bus: | 448-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 576 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 999 (1,998 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10/SM 4.0 |
If you have an SLI-only motherboard, you will be spending at least $330. But for that price, you get a pair of very fast graphics cards. As we noted with the single-card recommendations, two GeForce GTX 260 cards in SLI offer advantages in titles that run better with Nvidia's GT200 architecture. As with the single cards, we recommend the newer Core 216 versions, thanks to the similar price and enhanced performance.
Best PCIe Card For ~$370: None
Honorable Mention: Radeon HD 4870 X2 (Check Prices)
Good 1920x1200 performance, 2560x1600 in most titles with some lowered detail
| Radeon HD 4870 X2 2 GB | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x RV770 |
| Process: | 55 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 1,600 (2 x 800) |
| Texture Units: | 80 (2 x 40) |
| ROPs: | 32 (2 x 16) |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 750 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 900 (3,600 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10.1/SM 4.1 |
Two separate Radeon HD 4870 cards in CrossFire are notably cheaper than a single Radeon HD 4870 X2, which is why that setup scored the recommendation. Having said that, the Radeon HD 4870 X2 is a single card, and is therefore viable for those of you with a single PCIe slot on your motherboard. For this reason, the Radeon HD 4870 X2 gets an honorable mention.
how can you even compare nvidia and ATi dual card setup's at that price point? with the 9.8 drivers the ATi cards are way ahead.
hei
I find this guide extremely unnecessary at the time. After sept. 22 the new ati cards will come out. You cannot recommend anyone to buy anything better than a 4870, with the prospect of these new cards. Their flagship will be around the 300 dollar range and there will probably be between 200 and 300. I want to bet my leg on the fact that those will easily outperform anything within its budget range.
This is not the time to buy a high end graphic solution. The 4870 will be fine for about any game and it in a sweetspot when it comes to its price. If this does not satisfy your needs, have patience and wait for the new cards to present themselves.