Need advice on next upgrade

[jmiller0526]

So currently i am running 2 evga 8800s in sli, and while they work pretty well for me i feel like its time to move on. I just upgraded the rest of my computer (see sig) and at first i thought id save some cash and keep my gpus but i think im going to end up needing something new. I play a few games, but not all the time. I recently got bioshock 2, and in sli it runs decent but not perfect. The problem is i run my main monitor (samsung 22" @ 1600x1050) for gaming, and i have a secondary monitor i also use when i am not gaming. I also now have my tv hooked up to my 8800 via DVI - hdmi cable and i watch movies with it all the time now, but i have to turn it off and enable sli to game at decent performance levels.

I am considering a few options, ati 5770 xfire, ati 5850 or ati 5870, or nvidia 470. If i get an ati card is it possible and recommended to keep my 8800 for the tv only?, same goes for the nvidia 470 option. Or is it not even worth it to keep one.

I would love to spend as little as possible without sacrificing too much performance. Like i said, gaming is really not my main objective, but i want AT LEAST the same level that my 8800s are giving me. I also video edit with premiere pro cs4 if that makes any difference.

sorry for the longwinded post, let me know if i am neglecting any pertinent info and thanks for the help!

[mattspalace]

I recommend the HD 5850. Outstanding value for the performance and she'll overclock to 5870 speeds with no problem and no voltage increase.

No need to keep either of your current cards - recommend selling those on the ocforums classifieds so you recoup some of the $$ spent on the 5850.

[jmiller0526]

thanks matt, i was leaning towards the 58 series the most, and i would love a single card if it will run my 3 monitors like you say it will. i appreciate the advice. now i just gotta find a 5850 for a good price!

[mattspalace]

You can always go for a 5870 just in case, but as I said, the 5850 will overclock to 5870 speeds with no problem.

[EarthDog]

For 3 monitors...go for 5870, sell those 8800's in the classy's...matt has you covered. :)

[Mikef1r3]

well if price is not an option than your setup would only need a 5870 if price is a factor than a 5850 will do just fine though you will not be able to have all three screens active at once. unless you have the adaptor or native dp monitors

[EarthDog]

Mike, that is what eyefinity is for....5850 will work, but as far as performance, the 5870 would be better. ;)

EDIT: Mike, I see... the display port was what you were talking about... my bad...

[jmiller0526]

so both will do 3 monitors fine? will i need an adapter or do the cards have 3 outputs on them?