Graphics card decision and opinions please?

My PC is a few years old now, I've replaced various parts over the years but now its time to do the motherboard and CPU, and while I am at it, change my graphics card that's been getting very hot lately.

I run my games at 1920x1200, and I am looking to run new releases at top settings for as long as possible.

When I bought my graphics card there was only one to get, the 8800 GT, and it has served me well, so well in fact that I have not payed attention to the ongoing war between ATI and Nvidia.

I'm looking to spend upto £200 on a graphics card, I personally favor Nvidia, however due to my current non-knowledge of the 'best bang for buck' card at the moment, I am totally dependent on your advise!

I was looking at the Nvidia 275, it fits into the top end range of my budget for graphics cards, however 2 HD 4850 in crossfire also comes to the same price, I am aware crossfire/SLI is never as good, but the 4850 is a very decent card and very cheap, usually just getting a more powerful card is a better idea, however due to the amazing cost of the 4850 I am unsure, once again your opinions are greatly needed.

Otherwise I am switching from AMD to Intel. i7 is my choice of processor, I was looking at the i7 920 2.6Ghz and the Gigabyte X58 motherboard. The motherboard is less of an issue to me, while far in the future I may be tempted to overclock, the ease of doing so is not much of a problem for me, however this is the one component I am less willing to pay large sums for, unless you can tell me why a better motherboard is worth my money, apart from overclocking.

Apart from that I am looking at buying some 1600Mhz Corsair RAM will this work with my chosen motherboard? Having never bought a new motherboard and RAM for myself before I am unsure (apart from the pins) to compatibility.

My current PSU is 550W, do you think this will be enough to run this new setup, assuming I don't get crossfire/SLI?

My final question is, after replacing the majority of my PC's hardware, most importantly the motherboard and CPU, will I need to reinstall my OS?

Thanks for all your help and advise! Guild Wars Guru has never let me down!

~Raiin Maker

You should not need to re install your OS, as long as the HDD is the same.

a 550 watt PSU should be ok for a GTX 275 if it is a good one with 40 or more amps on the +12volt rail(s) - you will also need 2 6pin PCIE connectors for that GPU.

I have a pair of 4850s in CrossfireX and they perform quite well for any game out there at 1920x1080 (my resolution). If you want more of a future proof GPU then the 275 is an excellent choice; you can always SLI it in a year or two if you need to.

If you are concerned with gaming and web surfing primarily then you should look into an AM3 build, they are just as good for gamers and general useage as the i7 and should run a good $300 USD cheaper overall.

Thanks a lot for your input, my reason going for i7 is mainly future proofing, the costs aren't that extreme that it is an issue, and quad core, epically with Windows 7 coming out soon should last longer than Dual.

Thanks for your advise about the 275, £200 is about the sweet spot for graphics cards, and if your willing to spend more it does seem that Nvidia are better.

The 275 will serve you well. At that resolution, you should be able to run all current games at maximum settings and experience smooth gameplay (sort of like how at 1920x1080 or lower, a GTX 260 Core 216 is all you'd ever need; arguably the same card would work fine for 1920x1200, but it would struggle a bit more). An HD 4890 would also be fine.