http://www.driverheaven.net/review [...] /index.php
 
Seems 256mb version of the 3850 runs out of steam with 256vram against 8800gs 384mb in high resolutions
 
8800gs xxx edition are bad overclockers are already at their limits.  3870 pretty much wins over 8800gs.
 
I would still like to see 3850 512mb vs 8800gs

Out of interest i would like to see how that 8800GS holds up against the two older G80 GTS cards. Their specs seem, apart from the bus, quite close.

Very Interesting Article and I am impressed by it. I just recently purchased a 3850 512Mb Viper ($189.99USD) and I am satisfied with it. I would like to believe that it competes very well with 8800gs.

newegg dropped their price of xxx edition to $169 + ship
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150276

yea it woulda been alot better if they added the 512 mb 3850...i dont think 256 mb can hold up at 1920 x 1200 with aa.

So how long will it take AMD to start dropping the price of the 3850?  I give it about a week, tops.

Yep... I'm pretty sure the 512MB would have beaten the GS. If for no other reason than the extra VRAM being able to handle the higher resolution textures a lot better.  
 
I was actually surprised how well these cards did (esp. the 512MB 3850 in COD4), honestly, I expected a lot lower FPS. Neat review though.

Don't know how reliable this is but:
 
http://en.expreview.com/?p=236&page=6

 
Ha, nice. Pretty much what I expected.

 
Seems to favor 3850 by a little.
 
You have to consider though 8800GS was clocked @ 600 2000mhz memory 1375 shader.
 
The funny thing about the 3850 is however is clocked much higher than stock 3850 especially the memory.  700/2200
 
I think they are about dead even considering you clock the 8800gs shaders to 1700mhz + which would benefit games that are shader heavy in any of the recent games.

Well,here's the same guys at expreview, pitting the XFX 8800GS XXX edition against a HD3850 512MB.
http://en.expreview.com//?p=232&page=6

 
Awesome thanks.

What do you guys think of an XFX8800GS the stock version for $150.00 even. Good deal or pass it up?  

Depends on what you're going to do. If playing on high setting is a necessity, probably not. If you're fine with med-high settings, seems like a good deal.

 
 
I play at 1280X1024 and probably won't replace my monitor for another year. I mostly play City of Heroes. I have been  disappointed  with a lot of the latest game releases. But you never know a good game might be released and I will need to get it....so it is a hard decision. I did see a 3850 512mb card for $154.00 after a $20.00 rebate. An Apollo. I am not too sure how good of a card manufacturer that is but that is a good price for that card. Rebates....meh.....

There isn't a game 8800gs won't handle with max detail except crysis.  But then no card can play crysis @ max.  You should be fine.

It's actually hell of a deal for $150.  But you already have 7950gt.  You should wait for 9600gt to come maybe.  If you want a new card. Go for it.

Wait for the 10-series I say.

 
You will laugh at my logic here.....I want a new video card, this is a good deal. (very hard for me to pass up a deal) I can put my old video card in my wife's computer her 7900GS is getting a little dated. So that way I can say look dear you can have my card.....which is a nice card and then get the card 8800GS and she does not get too pissed at me for spending more money on "more computer stuff" and I don't hear "what the hell do you need another video card for"  
 
 
What do you think of the Apollo brand video cards? That Apollo 3850 is also 512mb of memory and is a good card, I  just don't know a  lot about that brand. Some of the reviews on newegg were not that favorable but some said it was a decent card and OC well. I like my 7950GT a great card and very quiet. I paid $270.00 for it a year ago..............
 
I have been reading about the 9600GT and my concern is that it will be over priced because everyone will prob want one. Then I will wait too long and poof all the 8800GS cards will be gone.

I don't know anything about the brand, but I do think you should go ahead and buy a new card.  If you play the waiting game there will always be a better card on the horizon.  That does sound like a good deal.