Done an unexpected upgrade to the system, I now have:Intel P4 3.4 @ 4GHzAsus P4P800-e Deluxe MB (800 MHz FSB)2GB OCZ Gold DDR500 (2x1GB)Currently running an ATI 9800 Pro (128MB) but looking at the two above boards. Anybody using either of these two boards? How do you like 'em?Not sure if I really would see much of an improvement. Sort of like the idea of the All In One features so willing to take a step down in performance (but I would think the AIO would still out perform the 9800 Pro).Opinions, comments?

Best buy for high end card currently is X850 XT (non-PE), because the price doesn't justify the speed increase. And, you can also overclock it easily, without any problems to PE speeds (540/590), and it will still run as usual, no overheating. Use AtiTool for that. I did that, and it's working like a peach.

WoW. That's a huge difference in price for just a little more juice. So now it's between the X850 XT or the X800 XT AIO ;) mmmmmmm...

Hi,I'm currently running a X800XT PE. Upgraded from 9800XT and yes, there was a substantial performance increase. And that goes for all the games I'm currently using: HL2, FS2K4, SH3. It's expensive but GOOD!BRGDSSven Sorensen, EKCH

Ponyboy,maybe, just a teenyweeny bit maybe, you can hold on to your money a bit longer. If that money isn't burning a hole in your pocket you can wait for the next generation of ATI.Those cards are just over the horizon and will be available in the next few weeks (or maybe even days).So far, all indicates that they will blow ALL competition away. ALL competition, not only Nvidia cards but also their own 850.Maybe price will be an issue but that depends on the size of your wallet.I did a major upgrade before the summer (including a Gforce NX6800 ultra from MSI) but I will certainly give this new card a try.Check the website of ATI.Luc 'Glaudrung' BrusselmansBelgium

Thanks Luc for the heads up as to what is on the horizon. But I am not one to normally purchase the "cutting edge" hardware. Usually overpriced at first and probably a round of patches and bugs is the norm.Pluis I am still at the AGP stage, have not gone to PCI Express so I would think these new boards would not come out in my "flavor".Going out today to our local PC Show (huge!). Probably go with the X800 AIO as I like the multi-media feature and I do a lot of video production. Plus I know it will be a tad better that the 9800 even if it is not ATI's top-of-the-line card. I probably can pick it up for under $300USD there.We'll see ;)

Hi there,My advise would be to hold on to your cash!There is a new generation of ATI cards hitting the shelves in your store within the next couple of weeks or so and prices are bound to drop a fair bit. You'll be kicking yourself paying full price for a X850 when it is just about to become a lot more affordable. Don't expect your dealer to point that out to you though ;-) They'll be happy to flock of any old stock at full retail price as long as they can obviously.Just my two cents...Regards,Alex

Alex,you are right! Oh so right... I did it myself earlier this year with the MSI NX6800 Ultra (Nvidia) and guess what... yep, only two weeks later the 7800 came out and the prices for the 6800 went down like a brick.To ponyboy I could give only one advise. If the next generation is too expensive or too much of a gamble when it comes to reliability, go by all means possible for the 850. When it's meant to run FSxx(whatever version comes next) you can only go for the fastest card avaiable withing the budget.And Ponyboy, read this forum 'cause there is a small tool to remove flickering from textures caused by the ATI drivers...If you don't find it, go to guru3d.com. It's there to download free.Luc ' Glaudrung' BrusselmansBelgium

Thanks guys for your interest. Oooops! Too late, I went out and bought the X800 XT AI0 yesterday. I-know I-know, you said wait but I got it for $100USD cheaper than store prices so I am very content. :)And WoW! Talk about performance! I thought the 9800 Pro might be holding back the system just a little what with all I upgraded lately. Was thinking I might pick up a frame or two. Well, I just did a landing into Phoenix (KPHX)at dusk, all sliders maxed, 100% UT AI Traffic (never would go beyond 30% normally), 3 level cloud layer, and was landing in the high 20's! Never had such a smooth landing experience. On the ground I was seeing 30's-40's. In the air 50's-70's. Needless to say I am in shock at to what the X800 XT AIO brought to the total package.And I put this together so I could OC to 4GHz. Don't even need to while my system hums to a cool 32c (strongly suggest the Thermalright XP-90). What can I say, I am one happy camper. So this is what it is like to flightsim in nervana ;)BTW - One tip I can suggest. As I was at my PC show I came across new PC cases and stumbled across one that looked well thought out. I had been using my old case for about 5 years with everything crammed into its little box. I literally had harddisks connected outside the box for lack of room. And wires running everywhere.Man what a difference, dropped my overall chasis cooling by about 10 degrees. Highly recommend the investment of a good case if you continually upgrade to faster and faster PC's.