X1950GT or 8600Gt/Ultra

Since there are no tests of the 8600 series, it's a bit hard to gauge their performance relative to the X1950GT. You might want to wait, especially if you plan on running DX10 games in their full glory (though the 8600 might not be able to handle it). The 8600Ultra is set to debut around $180, so that's the one you'd want to get.

The X1950GT sits between the X1950Pro and the X1650XT/7600GT. Here is a very nicely priced X1950Pro - if I were you I'd get that.

Newegg has one X1950GT. With your budget, you should go for the faster X1950Pro, but the value of this card is really unbeatable.

The 8600 should be much better.

No proof. Note realsed yet. I said "should".
The X1950pro has 36 pipes.
If there only half the number of pipes of a 8800 GTX -> 64, that is still quite a kicker. The "Ultra" Name (as in the 6600 Ultra) also usually means relatively high frequencies as well.
There are many factors, but if these numbers are anyplace near correct, the 8600 Ultra should be substantially faster than a X1950Pro.

I am also guessing in my cloudy crystal ball Ati will also make a mid-range card with 64 piples this year.

The "low-range" model - such as a possible 8300GT will have 32 unified shaders and 256 megs on-board RAM. This should run well on most Dx9 games.
The 7300GT already has 8 pipes and 256 megs ram.
No proof, but this is the trend.

Where did the INQ post this? I just want to see it myself. A little hard to believe. Thanks!

I'd say wait for the 8600, then check the benchmarks, if 8600 is anywhere near the price\performance of the 1950 get the 8600

ye, you know your shit