Top 5 Video Cards for Your Money: February 2008

The graphics card is a quintessential part of any gaming computer. It allows you to render those high-def textures and pixels, bringing to life the digital world in which thousands of gamers immerse themselves in every day. Whether you're slaying dragons, doing mob hits, or commanding nations, having the right video card is important. These are the best video cards in their respective price range in the current.

$150-200: This is the budget price-range, and while there are a few competing cards, namely the 8600 GTS and the 3850, the ATI card easily takes the cake in this contest. It runs cooler, is manufactured on a smaller die, and is overall more efficient than the 8600. As of late, NVIDIA hasn't been focusing on the budget section, and it has shown.

$200-280: This is a much more competitive price range, encompassing the 8800GT 256 and 512 models, the 3870, and the 8800GTS 320. The 8800GT was first released in the 512mb version only, with NVIDIA stating that the 256 model would encompass the lower price $200 price range. The original debut price of the 8800GT 512 was around $240, but it soon sky-rocketed close to or more than $300. The price of the 8800GT 512 has dropped as of late, probably due in part to the arrival of the 3870 and the 8800GTS G92. This makes the 8800GT 512, priced anywhere from $200-250, the best graphics card in its price range by a large margin.

$280-350: There isn't much competition in this class, partially because ATI has for the most part chosen to remain in the more mid-range section. There are, however, a couple of NVIDIA cards in this price range. There is the older 8800GTS 640 model, some lower clocked 8800GTX models, and then the 8800GTS G92. The 8800GTS G92, as of right now, is the best single-card solution to date. It matches or even outclasses in some benchmarks, the 8800 Ultra. The 8800 GTX and the GTS 640 are left behind in the dust. Plus, it uses less power, is easier to overclock, and isn't as loud as its older counterparts.

$350-400: There are no cards in this price range that I would recommend getting. Some 8800GTX models fill this price range, but they have been outclassed by the cheaper and better 8800 GTS G92. In fact, the 8800GT in the $200-280 price range can stand toe-to-toe with the 8800GTX in almost every benchmark.

$400-450: This price range is occupied by yet more 8800GTX models, a few 2900XT models, and the 3870X2, which is currently the best card on the market, period. It has been a long time since ATI reclaimed this position, but I don't think it'll hold too long. NVIDIA is fully capable of releasing an 8800*X2 model, which will completely outclass the 3870. It's just that they haven't as of yet. But, given the price, it is a good card for the money. You could probably expect the 8800*X2 models, or the 9800 models when they come out to cost significantly more than $450. Personally, I wouldn't recommend spending the money on this card. The best option would be to pick up an 8800GT or GTS G92 for the time being, and wait it out until the 9800s come out and drop in price.