Need help choosing a video card

[Troyer]

It turns out I'm getting a pretty decent tax return, so I'm looking at picking up a new video card.  The problem I have is that I'm not sure how much of a performance increase I'd realize going with a PCI-e x16 2.0 card when my motherboard has a 1.x slot.  I know the bandwidth throughput is half that of a 2.0 slot, but by purchasing a 2.0 card there's several other factors that improve.  I'm looking to get the best bang for the buck while spending $100 or less (post-rebate, pre S&H).

Here's the major differences between the 1.x  &  2.0 cards.
RAM:  256MB/512MB  vs  512MB/1GB
GPU: GeForece 8 series (8500s)  vs  GeForce 9 series (9600, occasional 9800)
Memory Interface:  128-bit  vs  256/512-bit
Memory:  GDDR2  vs  GDDR3
Core Clock:  450-576MHz  vs  600-720MHz
Mem Clock:  667-800MHz  vs  1800-2000MHz

What enlightenment can you all share with me?

Looking at NewEgg's offerings as of writing this, the cards I guess I'd pick from both sides are, but they're all pretty similar:
1.x Card:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500017
2.0 Card:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500077

NewEgg sorted product offering links:
1.x Cards:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609641%20106791921%201068310557%201068509618&bop=And&Order=PRICE
2.0 Cards:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069633099%20106792522%201068310557%201068509619&bop=And&Order=PRICE

[Troyer]

Stallionite had suggested this card:  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4128445&CatId=3670

[Troyer]

I saw this card deal posted.  I'm not sure how big of a deal it is for $90, but if I actually get the rebate it looks like a pretty nice deal for $50...
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/903820/

[Troyer]

I saw this card posted today which looks like a pretty good deal.  It's closer to a 1.x spec card, but engineered for 2.0, with a big 1GB RAM.  Thoughts?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130390

Amazon has it for $1 more, but with free shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EH8FZA/

[Troyer]

Ok, to keep my own thread growing (sans replies <squint>), here's what I've been able to dig up:

1.  9600GT is the best bang for the buck generation/class combo.
2.  Unless you're running one of a select few games (mentioned were CoD4 & MS Flight Sim), you won't need the extra bandwidth that PCI-e 2.0 provides over 1.x.  Games nowadays aren't using textures big enough to really bottleneck the 1.x slot.
3.  Aside from brand reliability trends, factory OCing (why?), and cooling methods all cards are exactly the same.

So...

At this point I'm looking at a 9600GT with 512MB RAM, 256-bit, & 650/1800MHz.  I've narrowed it down to 5 cards unless a special comes along.  Please let me know your thoughts on which you think I should go for or any other thoughts on my decisions to get me to this point (i.e. 'don't buy a 9600GT, get a 8800GTX').

1st:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127382
2nd:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500077
3rd:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133239
4th:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162007
5th:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130424

[Reddawn]

9600 works. Buy it already

[Troyer]

9600 works. Buy it already

Thanks for the recommendation. 


After looking more closely at the cards themselves physically, I was able to rule out 2 because I don't think they'd fit being double-deep for their full length.

So, I've got it narrowed down to an even easier question:
All three cards are within $3 of each other as a final price.  Is PNY or eVGA worth the delay/hassle/chance-of-not-receiving of a Mail In Rebate to justify buying one of those cards over the ZOTAC?  None have free shipping.

ZOTAC ($85):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500077
PNY ($95 - $10MIR):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133239
eVGA ($105-$20 MIR):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130424

[Hawkes]

Who the F is zotac?  Buy the eVGA.  You can't go wrong with their customer support.  They've always been good to me.

[Reddawn]

Zotac is the sister company of Zohan Inc

[gr0n]

eVGA sounds good to me too.  DO EEEET.

[Reddawn]

Troyer did the new card come in yet?

[Arctic]

Send the Ram out friday said it would be there before friday.

[ch0wdah]

Pretty sure the Idaho Air National Guard keeps a squadron of long range aircraft fueled on the runway next to a RAM warehouse for Micron.

Also, I ordered a Roku for my brother in law on the afternoon of Dec 23rd and it made it from California to Connecticut by the afternoon of Dec. 24th. 

[Troyer]

Send the Ram out friday said it would be there before friday.

Thanks Arctic!

[Arctic]

NP and I would go with the Evga never had issues with either one of mine.