Need help upgrading from 9500 pro

My MB was KIA recently. Started working the A64 solution but thinking I may want to keep the socket A online as well. I play a lot of FPS games, HL, HL2, Doom3, etc. I want to upgrade video card. Looking for suggestions. It doesn't have to be ATI. I just posted here because that's what I have now. What can I jump to that will give me noticeable performance increase but not break the bank (want to put most of my cash toward the A64).

Case: Lite-on FS-020
PSU: Antec TruePower 550w
MB: Epox 8RDA+ v1.1 (Bios version 3305) KIA. Upgraded to NF7-s V2
CPU: AMD XP 2100+ 0302 running 2221 at 47C (38 case) @ 1.58V, 13*171
RAM: 1GB Mushkin PC2100 (2x512MB) upgraded to GSkill DDR400 (2x512)
HDD: 1 x 40 GB 7200 RPM Maxtor + 1 x 40 GB 7200 RPM WD Caviar
AGP: ATI Radeon 9500 Pro 128 - Want upgrade. Suggestions??
Cooling: 3 X 120mm Panaflos, 1 X 120mm no-name (2-in, 2-out)
Eheim 1250 pump
D-Tek Heater Core
Swiftech MCW-5000-A
Gemini Chipset block
3/8" Tygon tubing
Distilled water and 4% WaterWetter mix

Can this be done for under $200? Looking at the 6600's and 6800's. Leaning that way but its pricey for me on a budget.

What goes best with NF7S, ATI or Nvidia?

what type of chip set does it have? via hates nvidia lol so if its via i say ati if its nforce i say nvidia lol

NF7-S V2 chipset is Nvidia Nforce2 SPP with MCP2-T. Most or all Abit MB's use Nforce I think. I'm looking at 6600's and 6800's now. Would like a 256 but my wallet says 128 might be all I get.

well save your money and get an 6800gt when the 7800's sell that way the prices drop i doubt a whole lot but they might there already seeling the 7800gtx pci-e ones at newegg the only thing is not every one has pci-e lol

Hi,

"CPU: AMD XP 2100+ 0302 running 2221 at 47C (38 case) @ 1.58V, 13*171
RAM: 1GB Mushkin PC2100 (2x512MB) upgraded to GSkill DDR400 (2x512)"

Judging from above, your CPU's FSB freq. is NOT set high enough to maximise the OC effects!! I suggest you should consider sorting out this CPU's OC issue prior to thinking of upgrading your video card. For example, you should try up your CPU's VCore to, say around, 1.75Vish while increasing your FSB to near 200MHz, while keeping your CPU freq. at around 2.2GHz, and 1:1 memory ratio to keep your memory running at 400Mbits double-rate. I have an Abit NF7 V2.0 and AMD XP 2100+ myself, they are currently being OC to the above figures perfectly O.K.
Provided you can maximum these OC, then try it with some benchmaks and games. If you're still thinking of upgrades, then upgrade your video card as well.

Sorry, Those specs were from the 8RDA+ board that was KIA. I should have clarified. I had not yet received the new stuff when I made the post. With the old setup, the Mushkin PC2100 memory was my biggest restriction. That OC just seemed to be the sweet spot for the hardware I had. I could get somewhat higher MHz but it seemed to actually run slower and just put the ratio further from 1:1. With the NF7 and GSkill DDR 400 I should be able to set it up in a 1:1 like you said. I'm going to use the same water cooling setup I have so upping VCore is not a problem. I've run high voltages before when tweaking.

I wanted to use the dead MB as an excuse to build an A64 rig but I just have too much still invested in this one to let it go. So my dilema really boils down to whether or not I'll see a significant difference in performance if I go 6600GT or 6800(any). I'm leaning toward the 6600GT as it will save me $100 or so that I can put toward the A64 project and still give me good video to play BF2/HL2 on this guy.

Any favorite brand out there? Looking at BFG. Maybe it really won't matter that much. They are all going to outperform the 9500 Radeon, especially with the new MB and DDR.