If that's the price range you're looking at then you're only real choices are the 6970 of the GTX 580. What kind of monitor setup do you have that you need all that firepower for games?

I'm running the XFX Radeon HD5570 card with 1gb, which rates a 5.9 on the Vista Experience index (5.7 for gaming).  I don't know if that's enough horsepower for you.  I paid $110 a few months ago, but there are alternate brands with the same graphics engine for well under $100.  XFX gives you free lifetime support.

I'm just so surprised at this. I have a 4870x2 and I never felt that it was even adequate. The second core rarely does any real work, and the gpu handles AA so bad.

(I'm not saying you're wrong in your own assessment, it's just curious that we should differ so much)

Tomshardware publishes a report each month, where they go through what's the best choice in different price ranges. They also have a "hierarchy chart" for all the cards. You can find both here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3067.html

I don't need that kind of setup for gaming. I just like the extra 'real estate'.
my old setup:

The 6970 seems like a fair bet, for now.

My 4850 'ate' everything I could possibly throw at it, even at highest possible resolution (1680X1050).
I almost cried when it kicked the bucket....

I'll for sure be reading up on that article from Tom! Thanks.

I'm not going to lie, I'm jealous. But is that a Gateway FX I see lurking behind the laptop?

In any case, Heavenfall is right, tomshardware.com is a great resource but if you're really interested in the cream of the crop it really comes down to whether you want an Nvidia or AMD flagship. See if any of your favorite games favor one brand or the other.

Maybe I'm just spoiled with resolution. My old screen was a 1440x900 something I think, then I jumped to 4870x2 and got a 1920x1200 screen. That's going from 1.3 million pixels to 2.3. The thing is the card handled everything up until anno 2070, but I could never use any AA (or if I did, very little). I think I just expected "more" from the card in that sense.

That's my ACER M7711, Quad Core Q9300, 8GB. Ain't short on power, you see, but I may have to look at a new PSU too. Not sure if the current one is quite adequate anymore. But it DID handle 4 internal HDD's along side all the other hardware.

nVidia or AMD, same shit to me. Both brands have been good to me at any time.

I have the XFX 6870 and I love it.  It handles every game available today with very good performance and for around $200 its good bag for the buck as they say.

I also should add I have Win 7 and on this setup I am able to play old favorites of mine like the original Empire Earth, Oblivion and many others.  So far I have not tried a game that wouldn't run on this setup.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/09/07/galaxy_geforce_gtx560_ti_mdt_x5_video_card_review/1

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/05/23/enermax_maxrevo_1350w_power_supply_review/1

Adding this one to the list, too. It's going for $300 over here.

Sweet card. Goes on the list as well.
Dunno about the PSU though.... It's about twice the price of any of the GFX cards, so far.....

Now pay attention, Honey.....

The PSU is the most important piece of hardware in your machine. Period.

Hugs and kisses from another one of those crazy-ass Americans.

I've got an MSI 6950 2GB model and I run Skyrim a solid 60fps on Ultra at 1920x1080.  And you can get one for $300 US or less.  I got the MSI Twin Frozer edition and it is very quiet and runs super cool.  Highest temp I've ever gotten when totally stressed is 62 degrees. 

Yep...but there was a time  people scoffed at my choice....Antec TruePower Quattro 1000w.... who'd ever need 1000? ....;0

And here's what I got hold of:

(1000 Watt PSU)

Can't wait to get these puppies installed!