advice needed on graphics card upgrade

in a total dilema here, need advice:

my current rig:

Amd 4800 x2

2gigs 800mhz ram

8600gt ddr3

viewsonic 22inch 1680x1050 monitor (that's what i game at)

600w Cooler Master Extreme Plus PSU

GA-M61SME-S2 - mobo

xfi-xtreme gamer soundcard

here are my options:

1. I can get a 2nd hand 4850 512 mb for like $70, keep it for about 18-24 months and do a system overhaul with maybe a dx11 card (if avilable and mature by then)

2. I can wait anothe 3-4 months and pick up a 4870 and chance it bottlenecking on my processor, but keep it for another 36 months - then overhaul

My real concern is - does the 4850 have enough juice in it to really last another 2 years? even if it doesn't its just $70 for now, and its bandwidth is 3x that of a 8600gt - so can't be bad

the 4870 might mostly bottleneck on my system - but will it make sense to pair that on a relatively 'weak' cpu like mine?

I was also thinking about the 9800gt - but again, i'm not sure it holds up to the 4850 even.

please advice

the 4850 will run any game on high, even crysis at that res, its a very good card and for $70 its a deal if its in good shape. but it won't run crysis games on all very high.

thanks Chris!!

Yeah, Crysis is an exception..cuz its an unusually heavy engine....the card seems to be in good shape...so let me pick it up then!

any other thoughts?

If you can manage to stretch your budget and deal with amail-in rebate....this 4850 is80 bucks after a 20 dollar MIR w/ free shipping. It's a great card at a great price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

*+

Cant u just wait until Jan-Feb, then do a overhaul of ur system. That 8600gt should keep u active untill then, even though its a really bad card.

Cant u just wait until Jan-Feb, then do a overhaul of ur system. That 8600gt should keep u active untill then, even though its a really bad card.

Amith12

heres my advice if you will listen:

get an 9600gt for the whole 80 bucks sit on it upgrade in 18 months wo a better mobo, cpu, ram 6 months more get a new psu and gpu.. really theres no need to jump on the dx11 bandwagon right away not like there going to be all of 4 games by then zomg 4 games you wont play on full the agony!

mmmm...might need to explore that too.... so 4850 it is. kris_pk

Another good reason to pick up this 4850, besides the price, is the cost of new DX11 cards. Everyone will be paying top dollar at release time just to have the latest and greatest right away. Being patient and waiting a bit will give time for any performance issues such as drivers to get ironed out and in time enable prices to come down...which they always do....I say grab that HIS 4850 that's on sale at the EGG this weekend... that card will carry you a long while before you need to retool your system.......;)

It will also make the graphic images on your monitor @ 1680x1050 look awesome !

*+

heres my advice if you will listen:

get an 9600gt for the whole 80 bucks sit on it upgrade in 18 months wo a better mobo, cpu, ram 6 months more get a new psu and gpu.. really theres no need to jump on the dx11 bandwagon right away not like there going to be all of 4 games by then zomg 4 games you wont play on full the agony!

get 4850, or wait till dx 11 cards,

[QUOTE="aura_enchanted"]

heres my advice if you will listen:

get an 9600gt for the whole 80 bucks sit on it upgrade in 18 months wo a better mobo, cpu, ram 6 months more get a new psu and gpu.. really theres no need to jump on the dx11 bandwagon right away not like there going to be all of 4 games by then zomg 4 games you wont play on full the agony!

Marfoo

varies if hes an ati or nivida person.. you assume he is impartial but to say there are those that dont pick sides is ignorance. and furthermore im right quite right still.

[QUOTE="Marfoo"][QUOTE="aura_enchanted"]

heres my advice if you will listen:

get an 9600gt for the whole 80 bucks sit on it upgrade in 18 months wo a better mobo, cpu, ram 6 months more get a new psu and gpu.. really theres no need to jump on the dx11 bandwagon right away not like there going to be all of 4 games by then zomg 4 games you wont play on full the agony!

varies if hes an ati or nivida person.. you assume he is impartial but to say there are those that dont pick sides is ignorance. and furthermore im right quite right still.