The ATI 4870 is one of the best cards out there right now and you can get it for a little bit over $200 which is a really great deal. It edges past my $300 Nvidia gtx 260. I love my 260 though. If you need an nvidia card, the price on the 260 has come down recently. Check newegg.com and tigerdirect.com, they usually have the best deals. If your other hardware isn't up to spec though, you won't really benefit from an insane graphics card.
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My Nvidia XFX 9800 was only 120$ and really, what games are so demanding that this wouldn't suffice? Farcry 2 runs like a dream. The Nvidia 260 may be a better card, but right now it is still not quite affordable at 240$+

As for the current ATI line, it just uses too much power for my tastes. Can be hard on a utility bill if you leave it on all day, but doesn't really apply to all gaming systems these days?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150323 (Very similar to my card. mine came with cod4 unexpectedly)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106792634&bop=And&Order=PRICE (all the 200 series newegg has)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201305520549%20106792627&name=Radeon%20HD%204000%20series (The ATI 4000 series should you want to go that route)

Enjoy
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the gtx260 and ati4870 are both $199 right now on newegg.com

ati4850 is your best cost/effective solution, and it also runs cooler then the other 2 cause it consumes power.
Source(s):
my profession of needing to be in the know

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