D975XBX2 video card recomendations

[muell]

Im looking for a new video card for my system Im upgrading from a nvidia 6800. I want to be able to play unreal 3 with full settings at 1920x1200. I prefer nvidia but no sli with the intel board so Im willing to go ati. Im thinking of either a 8800gt or a pair of Ati 3870's.

[Apoptosis]

What's the budget?

[muell]

I would like to spend as little as possible but Im willing to go up to about $400 if that is what its going to take to play games like unreal 3 and crysis. I think I remember reading that the ati 3870's where going to be about $200 a piece so two of those might be the way to go.

[cyclo]

Not sure how easy it is to set up 2 x 3870s in Crossfire mode but that may be the way to go. I have a D975XBX2 with an EVGA 8800 GTS 640 and I had to lower the resolution (from 1920 x 1200) and set the quality to high (instead of super high) to make Crysis playable... even then it is still a bit laggy.

If I am not mistaken Unreal 3 uses the same engine as Gears of War which plays smoothly on my machine at 1920 x 1200 albeit in DX 9 mode instead of DX 10.

[Pez D Spencer]

I'd wait for the 1GB 8800GT cards. At 1900x1200 you're gonna need lot's of video memory. I've been a loyal ATi fan for years and it kills me to reccomend and non ATi card, but the truth is that ATi just doesn't have it going on right now. SLI and CF is overrated IMO and a waste of money. As far as I'm concerned, SLI and CF is nothing more than a ploy by the video card makers to sell everyone 2 or more video cards. I mean, you can't blame them but I don't see the point it paying 100 percent more for video cards if you're not gonna get a 100 percent improvement.

[muell]

any Idea when the 1gb 8800gt's are supposed to be out? I cant find much info on them.

[ibleet]

I doubt you will ever see 100% improvement from either SLI or Crossfire...they aren't even close now and its been years.

[IRQ Conflict]

QFT I plan to upgrade to a single high end card next year.