I want to get a new video card but i need some info and opinions

First of all my current computer is the following :

- processor : Pentium D dual-core 3.4Ghz
- memory: DDR2 4gb of RAM (Corsair)
- graphics card: MSI GeForce 8600 GTS 256mb OC

So the thing is i want to change my video card but i'm not sure which to buy. I was thinking of going with the 9600gt 512mb or 9800gt 512mb but again, i'm not sure. I have a budget of about 250$ maximum.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

the 4850 will be alot better than both of those cards and not that much more expensive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

 

Here's an even cheaper card that will still be better than the two options you listed
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102803

 

Well i always went with GeForce video cards so i don't really know what the numbers in there cards mean (like saphire radeon 4850). Does a Radeon get less compatibility with games?

And how can i know if it'll fit in my current casing (the 8600gts is pretty big)?

Edit: And which manufacturer should i go with? (gigabyte, asus, etc.)

 

The HD4850 is slightly faster than a 9800GTX+. It is bigger than an 8600GTS, but not so big that it won't fit in your case, it is a standard 'extended length' card. Of all the manufacturers, Gigabyte and Sapphire would be the two I'd choose between.

 

Ok cool, so any model of the HD4850 is better than a 9800GTX?

I'm surprised, i thought nvidia was the better of the two big graphics card company. Another thing is i heard some people are having some problems with a few games using Radeon cards, does the 4850 has less game compatibility?

And i heard the 9800gtx is a lot bigger tough. So i hope the 4850 is not too much extended because the 8600gts was kinda big for my case at least.

 

The 9800GTX is bigger than the HD4850. There are no incompatibilities with Radeon cards and games that I know of, there is a lot of anti-ATI propaganda out there though, as nvidia pay big money on advertising and their rumour mill is pretty strong. It's almost always complete rubbish though, not only are ATI cards better value for money this time around, they also produce a better quality image.

 

i have GF 8800 GTS 640MB and i think this is good and cheap graphics card for all games

 

Not any more - the 8800GTS 640MB was withdrawn from production a long time ago, so you will only find one second hand, or overpriced due to rarity.

 

Wow, well thanks a lot so i guess that the HD4850 would be the best performance/price choice for my budget?

Are there different models/versions for the card? If so which one do you suggest?

And i thought of ordring it online, is there any trustworthy sites that you suggest?

(sorry for those hundred questions, i just wanna be sure )

 

The HD4830 and HD4850 are excellent cards for the money right now, the 4850 beats all 8800s and 9800s, and the 4830 beats all 9600s and most 8800s. The prices are about right for both, so if you can afford the 4850, buy it, if not, the 4830 is every bit as well priced.
If you're in the US, the best place to buy stuff from is http://www.newegg.com

There are two variants of the 4850, a 512MB and a 1GB version. You will only need the 512MB version unless you use a very big monitor. For the brand, I would recommend Sapphire or Gigabyte.

 

Well i live in Canada so i figured newegg.ca

 

Newegg.ca will do fine.

 

Ok thanks a lot, i guess ill take the hd4850. One last thing id like to know is how does the numbers in cards names work? Like i know how geforce works with 8800 (geforce 8 series) and etc. The Radeon series just confuses me lol.

 

See here:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/677037/4395486

 

I see, well thanks a million, i wasn't expecting to buy a Radeon at first but you convinced me.

 

An indicator - the last year or so everyone at my LAN party has had Geforce 8800s and a couple of 9800s. In the last three months several people have upgraded or built new PCs, every one has been with an HD4850, 4870 or multiples of these (e.g. 4850 Crossfire, 4870X2)

 

Nice nice, sounds like a very good card espescially for the price

 

By the way, will i need to re-install Windows when i change from a GeForce to a Radeon?

 

No, you will only need to uninstall the driver for your existing card, and install the driver for the new one.