Recommendations for new graphics hardware?

I built a new machine about a 1.5 years ago specifically to do machinima. Even then, it was an improvement but I was still unable to max out the the graphics settings in a crowded place and get any kind of decent framework.

I have a new project coming up and I'm looking to finally build a computer that can handle SL in its entirety.

I'm looking at an Inten Core i7 920 and at least one Nvidia GTX 275. I'm wondering what recommendations others might have as to hardware that can be used to max everything out.

the problem is, there is no one answer...
Whilst a lot of the work is done client side.. SL's servers still contribute a lot of the information needed for the clientside to do its job...
Of late, I have noticed a decline in the stability of the platform, which is unrelated to my system, but related to sim ping, update agent times, latency and packet loss. All of which are related to SL's services. Their deployment of multi teired databases, storing 'unused' textures in compressed form on slave databases, have not worked out as LL intended.

Whilst you may have an all singing/dancing system, you still have to wait for updates from LL's servers. Personally, I would wait a while... you may find changes that are happening to the grids, persuade you that throwing more money at the problem, may not be a wise choice.