I always consult Tomshardware since they have time to do nice benchmarks on video cards. Their monthly article here, recommends:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-graphics,2086.html Best PCIe Card For $160:Good 1920x1200 performance in most games, some with lowered detail
Radeon HD 4850 Codename: RV770
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 800
Texture Units: 40
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 625
Memory Speed MHz: 993 (1,986 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10.1 / SM 4.0
The Radeon HD 4850 is the new people’s champion, instantly bringing yesterday’s $300 performance level down to the mainstream $160 price point. This card has a lot of potential when used on its own, and becomes a devastating force when paired with a second 4850 in a CrossFire configuration.
Best PCIe Card For $120: Tie Good 1600x1200 performance in most games; 1920x1200 in most titles with some lowered detailRadeon HD 4830 Codename: RV770LE
Process: 55 nm
Universal Shaders: 640
Texture Units: 32
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 575
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1,800 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10.1 / SM 4.0
The new Radeon HD 4830 finally gives AMD something to compete against the legendary GeForce 8800 GT (as well as its identical sibling, the 9800 GT). Just as the 8800 GT is a crippled 8800 GTS, the Radeon HD 4830 is a crippled 4850. Both cards are excellent, while one winning over the other depends on the game or the image-quality settings.
GeForce 9800 GT 512 MB (aka GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB) Codename: G92
Process: 65 nm
Universal Shaders: 112
Texture Units: 56
ROPs: 16
Memory Bus: 256-bit
Core Speed MHz: 600
Memory Speed MHz: 900 (1,800 effective)
DirectX / Shader Model DX 10 / SM 4.0
While the Radeon HD 4830 offers the 8800/9800 GT its first competition in its price class, the card remains a strong contender and is still a viable option.
Note that it has been reported that some 9800 GTs have been found in the wild with 3-way SLI support.
