HELP! Tearing in BF2142

have alot of tearing in my BF2142 game. I dont know what is causing it, and was hoping someone here might help.

My specs:
AMD 3700+ @ 2700mhz
ATi x800gto2 256mb @ 500core 600mem
2 gigs syst ram
ASUS MW221U LCD 22" widescreen 1680x1050

I've tried turning on 'wait for vert sync' and is better, but still there

I then put in a x1950pro 256mb and the tearing is almost gone with 'wait for vert sync' on.

Others have said that they do not see any tearing with their Nvidia cards. I remember one was a 7950gt 512mb without vsync enabled.

What is going on here? Do I need to enable vsync and loos frame rates so i do not get tearing? Or is there something in the Nvidia drivers that keeps this from happening in the first place?

Anyone here know?

I just dont want to reformat my pc to get the ATi drivers removed to test out an Nvidia card. lol

hi...this is my first ever post....new to forums.
I have the same problem on an old pc which my son uses to play BF2,the card installed is a gf6600gt.....power to the card is a main issue....but the one which riengs supreme is COOLING for mine atleast.....not wanting to spend any money on upgrading an old machine i took off the side panel.
I will allso say at this point there's no chance of my son getting electrocuted...as the machine is stored in a cupboard.IT can then be played for hours on end whithout any sign of TEARING....put the panel back on....less than half hour. Hope this helps in any way.