Single slot Video card upgrade

[Linken91]

I am upgrading to a newer video card. I currently have an eVGA 8600 GTS OC 256MB. (Factory OC to 720GHz). And the games ive been playing have been pushing my card. But id still like to keep my graphics settings on high if possible.

It MUST be a single slot card. I have a compact cubed case and i need all the room i can get if possible. If necessary i could sacrifice my WiFi for a dual slot card. But that would be last resort.

I am looking for the fastest card within a $80 to $120 range. I will be playing games like Crysis, Just Cause 2, and the upcoming Mafia 2. Along with the less demanding COD games.

I haven't really been a fan of ATi. Although I've heard their cards are....decent. The DX 10.1 is tempting. But is it worth it?

Something Future proof (Like 3 or more years. But not DX11....yet) and reliable. I have looked at the 9800 GT and the HD 4850. Hard choice.

I will be playing some games like COD4 in 3D.(red and crayon) Does ATi have 3D capability?

Here are my specs if it helps.

Windows 7 Home Premium
E6750 2.66GHz. 4MB/1333
2GB PC2-6400
500W PSU.
19'' Monitor - 1440x900 16:10

This link should also help.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=566&card2=575

If also possible, what maker is best? (XFX, eVGA, BFG, etc.)

Ive been looking at the 9800GT for a while. But there must be something more bang for your buck.

[jmdixon85]

Well it's been a while since I looked into a single slot GFX card, But I think a nVidia 8800GT or a Ati 5770 card is still the fastest single slot GFX card available. Just try not to cover the fans on those cards, when I was running two 8800GT's in sli temps in summer could reach 95c in a well cooled case.

[Linken91]

I haven't seen a single slot Ati 5770 yet

[jmdixon85]

Opps typo, I meant 4770.

[Linken91]

Faster than the 4850?

[jarlmaster47]

the 5770 is one slot I am pretty sure. my 4890 only takes up one slot and the 5770 is smaller

[Linken91]

Google tells me its dual slot.

[MattNo5ss]

I haven't seen a HD4770 single slot either. You're looking at the right cards, HD4850 or 8800GT/9800GT would be your best bet. Those cards trade blows in the reviews I've looked at in the past few mins. So, which card is better seems to depend on the game. Crysis runs better on nVidia cards, but I dunno about the other games you listed..

[Linken91]

Would you happen to know which one puts out the best picture. Like how the scenery looks, better lighting. Or is that all on the game?

[jarlmaster47]

well I remember the 4890 being single slot which is a GREAT card! I use it and love it

[MattNo5ss]

I'm pretty sure the picture quality depends on the game.

The best cards in your price range would be the GTS 250 or HD5750, but they're dual slot. Also, I doubt anything in the $80-120 price range will be future proof for 3 years if you plan on getting current games throughout those years.

Although, you're using a low resolution monitor, so you won't need a really powerful card. So, if you keep that monitor for those 3 years those cards may be future proof for 3 years. OCing your CPU will help increase FPS at a lower resolution too, so you might want to try that.

In your case, if you're stuck on 9800GT/HD4850 and you like nVidia, then just get the 9800GT. There isn't much of a difference between the two.

[||Console||]

save the $ and get a 8800gt and oc it past 9800gt stock speeds =) I think there are 6 or more for sale in the classies

[jarlmaster47]

or get a 4890!

[wingman99]

+1 for the cheaper 8800GT

[v0nch]

I currently have a 9800 GT 1Gb for around 2.5weeks upgraded from 7200 Gs, well the difference actually is a lot (games like L4D2, GRID, MW2, Crysis (OFC) etc.) However, I would strongly recommend you to save up your money and get a better card like the GTS 250 or even the GTX 260 (which I plan to get after I save up some money).

Your CPU E6750 is fine and is quite good, so getting a GTS 250 / GTX 260 (nVidia which you prefer (so do I :p ) would be a good choice for them to work together. If GTS 250 is more expensive, then trust me, get the 9800 GTX (though GTS 250 is actually almost the same to 9800 GTX - this is cheaper). Again though, I still recommend saving up money and buying a GTS 250 / GTX 260.

Hope this helped.

[||Console||]

8800gt=9800gt=gts250
The 250 might be 2-3% faster .

[wingman99]

8800gt=9800gt=gts250
The 250 might be 2-3% faster .

+1 no upgrade there, thanks to nvidia rebadging the same GPU