Well......you did make a decision, and a pretty good one I would say. You chose beer.
See if this helps.

Toms Hardware AGP cards comparison
Toms Hardware PCI express cards comparison

I just upgraded to 64Bit myself so I will be putting my just bought ATI X800SE 256MB AGP card on eBay.
I can say when I put it in for my 9800 it was much smoother (AMD2700) and vastly superior. It ran all the games better but no 32bit is going to compete with 64bit and a equivalent PCIE VC
I hate to sell a like new card for a loss particularly when it works so well but the 9800 is already over kill for my email PC and the X800 would be a waste like giving grandma a 911 to do 30MPH in for church.
The 6600 actually works better than the 6800 for SH3. As the VC war continues both makers have differences that games must now choose from mediocre on both or better on one or the other, unfortunately.
Ironically the Nvidea is what SH3 touts on the cover but ATI works better. Not the same case for other games though where Nvidea is superior, or so I am told.
Benz or Bimmer, Ford or Chevy, AMD or Intel, same ole, same ole. My dogs bigger than your dog!

Wulfmann

My vote is go ATI.

Running a x800xt PE using Omega drivers the difference in IQ (image quality) and performance level worth trying this beta driver.

If you do go with stock/WHQL drivers I personally recommend 5.7 or 5.9 without CCC, get the classic version and skip the .NET you have to add to run it (CCC). ATi tray tools more than enough for tweaks. If ATi does not archive those drivers anymore PM me or post can give you a couple links.

BTW got a price range? Sorry if that sound too personal but might help some make the call...

g/l and Have Fun <g>

:lurk:

Just my 2 cents (euro-cents :P )

I have just replaced my ATI 9600 XT with a nVidia 6600 GT, and I am much more satisfied with the nvidia, sunglare or not. None of them are top cards but in my opinion nvidia drivers suck less than ati. My ATI card did lots of strange black-poly things in the background, with 3 different driver versions (including omega).

Apart from nvidia doing the best linux and open source drivers around, which I fully support them for, I have found ati's drivers quite a big PITA.

But then again YMMV!!

cya

I also hate ATI's drivers. When trying a different game I have to switch them very often.

I'm going to buy a 6600 GT too :P

I guess its all a matter of personal experience then. :cool:

I have been in this type discussion before and it generally turns out 50:50 with people taking sides based on their experience.

I could argue just the opposite about Nv and we end up in an infinite loop over which is better. All I know is you have to choose what fits your hardware and budget.

g/l <G>

:lurk:

If you keep torpedoing the friendly tanker your renown might go down. If you torpedo an enemy tanker you will get renown but it might not be the kind you expect. Just try witholding the torpedos until they surrender.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Been there, done that. In fact, I still believe that there is a sales rep at our local Best Buy that would beat the crap out of me on sight (provided he ever found out what I look like) :()1: