Graphics card advice

[Cassiel]

Good afternoon.

I'm trying to decide on a new graphics card for my desktop. Options so far are:
(1) Geforce 9600 GT
Pine Technology XFX GeForce 9600GT 650MHz, (512 MB) DDR3 PCIE DVI PCI Express Video Card, cost 62.07
(2) Radeon HD4670
ASUS Radeon EAH4670 DI - 1 GB GDDR3 - PCI-Express 2.0 x16 (EAH4670/DI/1GD3/V2/A), cost 61.20
(3) Geforce 9800 GT
Gainward 9800GT "Green Edition" • Graphics adapter • GF 9800 GT, cost 74.18
(4) Geforce GTS 250
ZOTAC GTS 250 - 512 MB DDR3 - PCI-Express 2.0 (ZT-20101-10P), cost 87.50

My gaming is fairly limited these days, alas, but it would be good to get a card which maximises things when I do get to play. I'm not convinced I'd get the benefit from a GTS 250, though happy to be convinced otherwise, and can't put a great deal between the first three. Is the 9800 GT 13 quid better than the 9600 GT or the HD 4670?

Thanks!

[fluffmonster]

You're not likely to be able to maximize the graphics with any of those cards unless you are sticking with older games. To that extent, none of those choices will leave you with unused capability. The GTS 250 will take you closest to maximizing graphics.

[gribo]

for a future proof purchase, consider a card from the ATI Radeon 5xxx series, as they support DX11 and provide better performance per $ than most of those cards you mentioned.

[Cassiel]

Thanks - any advice on which 5xxx series Radeon to go for?

[fluffmonster]

Closest 5xxx I found on pixmania was a 5750, but for a cost of 105.
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/4259037 ... ula-1.html

A tom's hardware review on the 5750 which includes the GTS 250 in comparison:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/rad ... ,2446.html

[Cassiel]

Thanks, Fluff - picked up a 5750 in the end, and am now battling the inevitable consequence of unpacking your desktop after 1.5 years in storage: nothing fricking works any more. Hum ho. Happy New Year!