9800 gx2 vs Radeon 3870 HD x2 vs Radeon 5770 HD vs Radeon 4870 HD vs Radeon 4830 HD x2 vs Radeon HD 5830?

Hello, I'm planning to make a DIY vidock for my M1330. But now I'm wondering, which cards out of the ones above give me the most bang for the buck? I'm looking to spend between $150-$200.

I use Windows XP.

My rig:
Dell M1330
4 GB RAM
Core 2 Duo T5750 @ 2.00 Ghz
Nvidia 8400m GS

Thanks!

 

All of those will saturate the PCIe bus, so it wouldn't make a difference in performance.

 

What do you mean?

Regardless of that, which one is the best bang for the buck?

BTW, here's the link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=418851

 

The mPCIe that the DIY ViDock uses is a PCIex1(I think) which isn't the same as the PCIex16 that modern desktop graphics card use. Therefore, the bandwidth of the PCIe slot is lesser than what common modern cards use and the limiting factor will be said bandwidth.

If you want to pick between those cards though, I'd say that the 5770 is the most bang for the buck.

 

Apparently my M1330 can be set up for PCI-e x2 1.0, making only a 20% performance loss, as opposed to a 50% for PCI-e x1.

EDIT: Wait a minute... "US$85 PE4H: x16 pci-e slot, USB, x2 capable, 12V from regulated 16~20V/4.5A power adapter OR floppy molex"

 

Definatly one of the ATI cards, they use the bandwidth more efficiently.

 

ATI. i was gonna go for the 5770 since beta drivers are making it really fly. outrunning the 4890.
also, consider getting the VapourX one since its meant to be a lot quiter.

 

EDIT: Turns out Crossfire and SLI will NOT work very well on the setup. Now, I'm reduced down to 3 options. A 4890, which I have found sub $200, a 5770 which can apparently overclock better and may surpass the 4890 when drivers improve, or wait until a 5850's price drops down to <$200.

 

Personally , i would get a 5870... if ur keeping ur laptop for 1-2 more years , the upgrade would be worth it.... but if u can get 5770 miniumum...

 

Unfortunately, I don't want to spend that much cash on a graphics card. Trying to keep it under $200. The 5830 is coming out soon, and looks to be more powerful than the 4890, maybe I'll wait for that.

 

A 4890 will be fine, my 4870 can max pretty much everything at 1920x1200.

 

I would totally get a 4890, but the 5830 is coming out, and is around the same price, with more power and less power consumption.

 

then u have no choice but to play the waiting game...