7950GT (256MB/512MB) vs. 8800GTS (320MB)

[slavik]

Right now, my system has an AthlonXP-M 2500+ (at 2.4GHz) and an X800 PRO VIVO (with all pipes unlocked).

I have been thinking about upgrading to e4300 and an nVidia card (because ATI's Linux drivers are horrible).

From looking at newegg prices, a 7950GT 256MB is ~220USD, a 7950GT 512MB is ~240USD and an 8800GTS 320MB is ~280USD.

My question is, how much raw and opengl performance difference there is between the 7950GT and then 8800GTS?

[einstein2]

There is alot of improvement in the OpenGL department on the 8xxx series cards. Especially with the updated pixel and vertex shaders, its very powerful. Regarding memory, the 320MB is ok if you play at 1280 x 1024 or below. 640MB if you play higher res than that.