i have a 9800 GTX+ BFG OC Its only like 30 bucks more. the 9600 is good but if your gonna spend the money on a 8800 get the 9800 GTX+ OC by BFG instead. is there a specific reason you want to decide between those 2? power supply limitation? MOBO limitation? if there is no real limitation read below
its factory overclocked
(BTW i spent AGES looking for a good graphics card for the money i recently built a new comp 3 months ago.)
9800 GTX+ OC by BFG is like 130 dollars, 1GB video mem and pretty much out performs the 8800 GT in every way
And there is the 4850. I dont know but i feel that card is for mainstream games like WOW or CS or CSS but wont perform to newer games.
MORE PROs!
if you built a comp and you have 2 pcie 2.0 slots you can do SLI with 2 9800 GTX+ OC's
They are very reliable going dual SLI and will probably perform for many years to come. Right now you only need 1. I have one with a e8500 at 3.16 Ghz and i can run crysis warhead at enthusiast settings at around 30-45 FPS and if i turn down shadows to mainstream everything is smooth. And anti aliasing 4X.
If you ever need more power which everyone wants
all you gotta do is buy one more for $130 and there you go, no more upgrades for a LONG TIME!
Im into all the newer games and obsessed with playing them at max settings so the 9800 GTX+ OC is pretty much my savior >.<