To run all Ultra Mode options at once in 1680*1050 the starting point is around a AMD RadeonHD 4850 / Nvidia Geforce GTS 250. These have the respective theoretical throughput rates of
10,000 MegaPixel / 25,000 Megatexel
11,808 MegaPixel / 47,232 Megatexel
For the AMD architecture then, cards that will run Ultra Mode include:
RadeonHD 4770
RadeonHD 4850
RadeonHD 4850x2
RadeonHD 4860
RadeonHD 4870
RadeonHD 4870x2
RadeonHD 4890
RadeonHD 5750
Radeon HD 5770
RadeonHD 5830
RadeonHD 5850
RadeonHD 5870
RadeonHD 5970
RadeonHD 6850
RadeonHD 6870
RadeonHD 6950
RadeonHD 6970
For the Nvidia architecture these include:
8800 GTS*
8800 GTX*
8800 Ultra*
9800 GTX
9800 GTX+
9800 GX2
GTS 240
GTS 250
GTX 260
GTX 260 216
GTX 275
GTX 280
GTX 285
GTX 295
GTS 450
GTX 460
GTX 460 SE
GTX 465
GTX 470
GTX 480
GTX 570
GTX 580
*the Geforce 8800 series has the shader and texture power to execute Ultra Mode Code, but memory counts of 256mb and 512mb of local video memory really cuts into the ability of the cards to render Ultra Mode in high resolutions
The list of mobile cards that can render in ultra mode is significant shorter:
Mobile RadeonHD 4850
Mobile RadeonHD 4850x2
Mobile RadeonHD 4860
Mobile RadeonHD 4870
Mobile RadeonHD 4870x2
Mobile RadeonHD 5830
Mobile RadeonHD 5850 GGD5
Mobile RadeonHD 5870
9800M GTS
9800M GT
9800M GTX
Quadro FX 3700M
Quadro FX 3800M
GTX 260M
GTX 280M
GTX 285M
GTX 460M
GTX 470M
GTX 480M
The OP didn't ask about UM and for $85 that really isn't an option.
If the OP doesn't mind mail order a quick stop at NewEgg does show a few possibilities.
On the ATI side of things, I think the best "modern" card you can get for that price limit is a 512MB HD 5670. The two gotchas is the card does draw 60 watts and they do, like nearly all video cards now, a heatsink/fan that extends into the next slot. The suggested PSU is 400 watts or better.
nVidia is a tougher nut. Compared to the HD 5670, the closest "modern" card in performance (though still slower than the HD 5670) is the GT 440. It has a similar power draw to the HD 5670.
Both of those is sticking within your $85 limit. However is you can push it to $100 and don't mind "older" Dx10 class cards Vs Dx11, and you have the PSU to handle it, then NewEgg still has a 9800GT and faster 512MB GTS 250 available. Both are a lot faster than either the HD 5670 or the GT 440.
On the ATI side they do have an HD 4850 for just under $100, again faster than either sub $85 cards, is a generation older and use a lot more power.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Fried my graphics card. Need to replace it. I only have $85 that I can commit for sure to the venture, maybe $100. What card should I get?
Oh, here is the motherboard it will need to run on. Foxconn M61PMV Socket AM2+ GeForce 6100 DDR2
Thanks,
Z