I use this to evaluate graphics cards.http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php There is a value for dollar chart for each card there. Happy shopping.

Thanks Kryo, that's what I was afraid of. So the 570 or 660 would be a bit better? I would like to get a good card... not something that sounds like a vacuum cleaner or generates enough heat to melt the ice caps in Alaska.

The 660 from what I hear is 'decent' though the 570 is supposed to shred through just about everything. Last year I picked up the 560 Ti 1gb ($240) and am very satisfied with it. The 570 was supposed to be the step up from that but at the time was an extra $100. Many of the driver issues with these series of cards have been fixed so if you've read some reviews that complained about that, it shouldn't be a concern like it was last year. I play BF3, Skyrim, SoaSE:R flawlessly now with the updated drivers from nVidia. 

Something you should be aware of Anthony R (and people will argue this up one side and down the other and back again) is that ATI/AMD versus nVidia often go back and forth for the most bang for your buck [most performance for the price]. I personally have had great experience with nVidia cards but I have done the research on which card to get prior to picking just which one I want.

User reviews on websites such as Newegg.com and Tigerdirect are usually fairly good indicators of the card's market acceptance and performance in real world applications. When looking at the reviews for a product to see if there are any issues with the card, always ignore the 5, 4, and 1 star reviews. If there are any major issues present it will show up in the 2 & 3 star reviews. If you see a trend starting to crop up on the 2 & 3 star reviews for a certain card, keep that in mind before deciding to purchase it.

I say pick up the 570 @ 1gb and ditch the 480. I haven't messed with the 660 but I believe that the 570 won't disappoint if you choose to pick it up.

I've been looking at possibly tossing the 480 for a 660 myself. I've only suffered having a space heater that doubles as a video card this long because I got it dirt cheap from a coworker who bought a 580 just as I was also rebuilding my machine.

Either of those should outperform the 480, and the newer generation cards are much more efficient as well (which means less heat and thus less noise). So it largely comes down to how much you value the non-performance factors, which that chart does not account for.

Fine.. here's some useful info from me (for a change ) .  1st - I'll buy either ATI or Nvidia.  I go for whatever gets me the best bang for my buck.  Don't care which brand.  2nd - before I buy a graphics card, there is exactly 1 resource I hit up.  Tom's hardware graphics card hierarchy chart.  Anyone looking to pick up a new card should check this list 1st imo.  It is published by tom's on a monthly basis.  Here's September - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

It is also incredibly useful because it shows you the best performers along with the current street price (eg makes it pretty easy to pick a good card).  So, I'd just look through their tier list, then decide how much I want to spend.  They typically recommend the best current deals as well.

edit  - ah - I see carkarias posted this link as well.  I declare my post better as I explain things.  So there... its technically not like a repost at all... right?

Technically, yours is better, your link works.

Don't worry, cause the 8800's are coming back again in a new launch. Well, this time they will be ATI

Info just leaked today.

Looks like you'd need to wear combat pants and change your logon sound to "Semper Fi, Mo-Fo"....

Bit corny...alll the 'military' references....just make it seem typically over-budget-and-ruined-by-committee....

That aside.... ASUS makes good stuff...my MoBo is ASUS ...a few years old...ASUS P6T-se  X58 i7  as is my new Graphic ... ASUS GTX590 3GB.

...so is my monitor...come to think of it...ASUS MW221u 22" LCD ....

ATI/AMD HD7870.  Low power consumption, kick bottom and the graphics are sharp as a knife.