stream processors

ok, I hang between a 9600GT 521 card and a 8800GT 512 one. I found a store a price difference is only about 20$. still, because 9600 is the newer model, I still consider it. but one thing only put me on thoughts: stream processors. 64 on 9600 and 112 on 8800. still, on 3dmark, scores are not very far away from each other: 9500 for a 9600, almost 11000 for a 8800, so my question is: what are those stream processors, how will future games be handled, what is the difference between 9600 and 8800 and considering it`s a card for at least 3 years, what card of those 2 will handle games better in the future?

tnx!

Between 9600GT and 8800GT i would go with the 8800GT

But i disagree with macer1:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3234

although the 9600GT has 64 SP it still performs very well and 2 of this card performs very well in SLI mode

But again between those i would choose the 8800GT

my only problem with 9600 is with how they boost the pci-e.

but over time I would think the 8800gt would outlast the 9600gt due to better higher res

Remember you did ask. Hope these links are of use to you.
http://www.beyond3d.com/content/reviews/16
http://www.beyond3d.com/content/reviews/1/14

Any questions or stuff you dont get just ask, but for all i know you may understand it better than i do.
Mactronix

Its ok there is no test at the end just hope its the kind of info you were after
Mactronix