Recommend upgrade option

I'm thinking of getting a new (Nvidia) graphics card.

I am thinking of these GeForce cards:

GTX 260

9800 GTX+

GTX 250 (out soon? Based on 9800 GTX+)


My budget is $220 Canadian plus tax/shipping (if I order online). I might adjust that a tad but I want it well under $300 in total.

I am not sure if I need to upgrade my case but probably. I know I should post this part in the 'chassis/case' section but if it's between the Antec 1200 and Cooler Master HAF 932, I think I might go with the Antec but I haven't decided yet.

I was mostly looking at 9800 GTX+ cards with the non-reference design in which the cards are shorter but then my options/choices are really limited and I would still have to move my hard drives out of the way (I think). So, it might be best to get a full size tower, huh?

So, please recommend a card and why. I wanted a 55nm card and I thought I should consider only certain brands. Or do they all have good cards? The only video card I've ever bought was used and it is a EVGA 7950 GT which I still have.

Also, are the stock coolers on these cards any good? I have an aftermarket cooler on the 7950 GT and if I had to buy one for a new card, that increases the price total and I also don't know which cooler is good.

I appreciate all advice/recommendations/comments. I'll search the forums here for other answers but thanks in advance for all replies. I will post followups to any replies, thanks!

GTX 260