Among the GPU's mentioned in the thread topic (or regular variations of the same cards minus the SSC's,etc.), which would be advisable getting based on performance. Price, of course, is somewhat of a factor but eBay is great for that!!

My signature line is not correct, and for some reason won't change, but this is my current setup:

Chassis: Thermaltake LanBox MicroATX Case
Motherboard: ASUS P5E-VM HDMI LGA 775
Intel G35 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 4096MB Crucial Tracer DDR2 800 [4-4-4-12]
Hard Drive(s): 300GB VelociRaptor [10k RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s] & 2- 320 GB [e.sata]
Optical Drive(s): 2- SAMSUNG 20X DVD Burner w/LightScribe SATA
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS v.ACS [320mb]
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling 750W PSU
Monitor: Acer 19" Widescreen Flat Panel
Sound Card: SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional
Speakers/Headphones: Alienware® Ozma 7™ Headphones with S-Logic™ Technology
Keyboard: Wolf King Timber Wolf Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse [Banshee Blue 9 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Laser 4000 dpi]
Operating System: Windows XP Professional - SP3



Disclaimer: Please don't be offended by my documented "forum rudeness" if I don't directly respond to your post -lmfao-

Well, If it were my decision I would go with either the 4850 or 4870 based on price and performance. the 4850 is faster than the 9800GTX and the 4870 is 20-10% slower than the GTX280, but costs $350 less.

That will work on a Intel mobo right?

Yes, it will work.
In my opinion at your resolution the HD4850/9800 wouldn't be a large enough step up to be really worthwhile. Of the other 2 choices the HD4870 would be a really nice boost and most cost effective.

Well what are the main factors to consider when buying: bandwidth? clock speeds? bit interface?

I know that you need more RAM running at higher res but I'm unclear on the other stuff. I usually game on 1024 or 1280... and of course I mentioned I have a 320mb 8800GTS ACS. I'm leaning towards the 8800 Ultra SC...just seems to be the more solid card vs the 9800 GX2

I have the opportunity to get a 9800 SSC for around $375
Any comments??