Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT

Comparing a 8600GT and 8800GTS on Nvidia site you can actualy see how the 8800 has almost triple the statistics with an almost tirple memory interface.

Depending on what resolution you are gaming at it might be wasted "horsepower", like running a v12 while driving 30mph. Its also almost triple the price. In fact if you look at that 3DMark06 chart @ Bjorn the 8800 GTS has 1.5X the performance, but at current prices costs 2.5X as much.

cheapest 8600 GT $110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....1921+1067928607

cheapest 8800 GTS $270

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....1921+1067924922

I prefer to buy towards the "value" end and upgrade more often

BTW some 3dmarks from my card:

GPU @ Default (600MHz), FSB @ 220MHz - 13867 3DMarks (03)

http://service.futuremark.com/orb/resultan...amp;UID=9716604

GPU @ Default (600MHz), FSB @ 220MHz - 8602 3DMarks (05)

http://service.futuremark.com/orb/resultan...amp;UID=9716838

GPU @ Default (600MHz), FSB @ 220MHz - 4301 3DMarks (06)

http://service.futuremark.com/orb/resultan...amp;UID=9717463