Need help from someone who knows computers/gaming well (unbiased)

Ok, I need to choose a video card for my build by tonight. Here's the deal: I am looking to get a video card for around $200-230. I have recently been an nVidia guy, because I used to constantly have issues with older ATI cards. As far as use, I will be using my build for gaming, watching videos, programming (not that it matters much), producing music, some video rendering... you get the gist. I want to run everything flawlessly.

Lately, I've been leaning toward an eVGA GTX 260, but I just noticed that Newegg must've just taken it down earlier today. Weird. (I guess they're getting ready for the GTX 295) So, it's basically between the GTX 260 SSC, maybe the GTX 260 Core 216, and I guess the 9800 GTX+?

The thing is, I don't know that much about the 9800 GTX+, and I need advice.

What is the best out of these three for price/performance?
(The games I will be playing include FPS's, RTS's, and RPG's. My resolution on my monitor is 1440x900 right now. BUT, I will be upgrading in the near future to something else. Maybe 1680x1050.)

ALSO: I want this thing to last for a few years!

eVGA GTX 260 SSC Edition $229.99

eVGA GTX 260 Superclocked Edition $239.99

eVGA GTX 260 Core 216 Edition $247.99

XFX 9800 GTX+ $199.99

I honestly do not know the difference between the SSC and Superclocked editions. I don't even know what SSC is.

Also please consider the eVGA Step-Up Program.

And suggest anything that you think is a better value!

I'm sorry for all the text and the conditions, but this is an extremely important purchase for me.

My specs:
Antec Nine Hundred
Corsair 650TX 650W
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R
Intel E8400
G.SKILL PI 4GB DDR2-800
Samsung 19" 1440x900 5ms RT
Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB

Thanks for any help!

have you looked at the charts?
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 6,799.html

Yeah I just looked through the charts, and I see that the GTX 260 does pretty well. Thanks for that bc4.

And thanks for those stats unclefester.

I think I'm gonna end up getting the GTX 260 Core 216, as for only $20 or so more, it seems to run impressively compared to various other cards.

Alright, will do. Once it comes in (hopefully by 12/24), I'll put it in my rig and test an array of games and PM you with results.