New video card question (poll?)

If you had $200+/- (US) to spend on a new video card, what would you get? The Radeon 3850 looks awesome, so does nVidia's 8800's and the new 9600's... I'm not really shopping.... this is more of a poll than anything else. If you like a Sapphire 3850 over an HIS 3850, why? or if the eVGA 9600GT is preferred over an XFX 9600GT, why?
You get the idea.... essentially, in your opinion, what is the best video card available at the price mentioned?

(let's try to keep the price under $200 or $225 max... if there's no price limit, it kind of voids the validity of the poll. Few people can afford $500 or more for a video card)

 

Personal opinions don't mean much I reckon, you can only go by the facts, or get an informed opinion from those who test them against similar models.

My own opinion would be biassed towards Nvidia, because it's better supported in Linux and that's not even a consideration for most people.

I was just looking on 'Tom's Hardware' (UK version) and this
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/Graphics-Guide-Money,review-30260-4.html
*should* be comparable to a $200 card over there - given the current exchange rates, but as usual we here in the UK get financially raped compared to what you pay in the States. We often pay the same rate you pay in dollars, but in pounds, which is a scandal when I can get $2 for every £1 at the bank.

The Radeon 3850 it is, according to the link above, and as it saves me comparing core clock speeds, memory clock speeds, universal shaders etc - I believe them

 

i would have to say this one because it got the highest reviews in that price range

 

Yeah and that's a sickening example of what I said earlier

Newegg price $149

cheapest I can find doing a quick search is is £160 :cry

That's more than double !! There'd be a queue a mile down the round if they were that price in this country - and I'd be at the head of it

 

The 3850 is nice, but in that price range, I would get a 3870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241071

As far as brands, I used to like Saphire, but 2 cards died. I have been buying GeCube, and so far all is well. I am waiting on my refund check to upgrade my current card...

E

 

I recently built a new computer, and while shopping, i concluded that, the best bang for my buck was an 8800GT. I purchased this one, EVGA 8800gt 512mb and I have been very pleased with it's performance in game....couple of things to note, tho. I've had some problems with it, overheating, and crashing...Ive read up a bit on it now, and found out that the slimmer, single-slot fan is probably not the way to go...Evga stock fan speed is only set for 25%. I was getting up to over 80 degrees, and crashing. EVGA's support was fine, and they told me i needed to up the fan speed to 100%. That was too loud, so i have it set to 75% and the temps never go over 60 degrees. Now I do have a crash here and there, but im sure it's not heat related, but i've read that maybe the graphics memory could have been damaged....

sooo, back to the original question, the 8800GT, still is, imo, the best bang for the buck (currently under $200 after rebate). It's performance is great, but be weary about the temps.

another thing to note, I've owned a Sapphire card (radeon 9600xt), and an MSI (fx5200), and neither have given me any problems....

 

I also use evga's slim 8800gt.my fan set to 75% also (set it right out of the box) probably didnt need to but I don't like heat Performance wise the card runs anything I throw at it with ease. Main purpose of my rig is gaming Had a 3850 in here and it does well also and performance for the price was impressive but I needed something a little stronger to run my games at 1920 x 1200 res hence the 8800gt.