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Buyer's Guide: The Best Monitors 
Graphics Cards
Régis Jehl
Updated: November 6, 2009
Updated: November 6, 2009
Product Surveys, Tests and Guides
If you can't find the right graphics card for you here, go ahead and check the full range of tests in our graphics card product survey.
The start of 2009 didn't see too many innovations in the world of graphics cards. There were just minor developments from earlier models with the ATI Radeon HD 4890 and the GeForce GTX 285. NVIDIA took the time to rename its existing models again and again--trying to make new products out of old--while ATI had some ongoing supply problems with certain components.
If we look a little closer, the only real innovation in the first half of the year was the arrival of NVIDIA 3D Vision, which allows you to get right inside a game with stereoscopic 3D graphics. Unfortunately, setting yourself up can be pretty expensive: you need to start with a top-end graphics card (£230), then add a 120 Hz compatible monitor (£280), and of course, those famous glasses (£110). A total of over £600 - ouch!
Only NVIDIA makes cards that are compatible with this system for the time being. In some ways that's to be expected, as it was NVIDIA that took the risk and went for this segment of the market. We'd still like to see ATI moving forward though, and produce its own series of 3D-capable cards. It would also be great to see glasses that worked with both manufacturers' systems and more affordable 120 Hz monitors.
The second half of the year has been a little more exciting, with the arrival of the first DirectX 11 compatible cards. These cards from ATI are great for gaming and edge out in front of NVIDIA's models. They also come in at a very sensible price, and ATI's hardware is often excellent value for money. As for NVIDIA, their new cards--DirectX 11 included--are expected at the end of the year or the start of next.
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Our favourite
Ultra fast, DirectX 11 compatible and economical in terms of energy consumption.
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ATI Radeon HD 5870 1 GB
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This is the fastest graphics card of the year. It gives uncompromised performance on all current 3D titles whatever your screen resolution. Resolutely turned towards the games of the future, it gives full DirectX 11 compatibility. We also like the care taken with energy consumption in idle (while not gaming) and its moderate noise levels.
| A good compromise ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 GB |
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| For around £100, this model will allow gaming on average res screens. Definitely a good deal even if not the most recent of cards. |
DirectX 11 compatible, this is a card for the games of the future. High performance means you can use it for gaming on high definition screens. |
Although not DirectX 11 compatible, this card allows you to play at high res with all settings activated. Better still, it's compatible with 3D glasses and screens. | ||||||||||||||
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Stereoscopic 3D
Rediscover gaming in 3D total immersion
| The graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1 GB |
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| A very rapid card that will allow fluid gaming alongside 3D Vision. |
3D really is amazing on this monitor with the NVIDIA glasses! As is 120 Hz fluidity. Bye bye CRT! | No 3D without these glasses, an indispensable accessory to really get into your gaming and enjoy the depth on offer. |
Graphics cards at a glance:
| Performance | Noise levels | Stereoscopic 3D |
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| ATI Radeon HD 5870 1 GB |
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| ATI Radeon HD 4870 512 MB |
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| ATI Radeon HD 5770 1 GB |
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| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 896 MB |
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| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1 GB |
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Best value | |
We love it | |
Green | |
Best of the best |
