I am getting a new AGP card for my LAN party system, and I was just wanting an outside opinion on which if these cards to get (preferably someone who has used both radeon x800 series cards and geforce 6 series of cards).  I have always been an nvidia guy myself, and I am well aware of the real-world performance of nvidia cards (I run a 7800GTX in my home system), but I have not had a chance to get my hands on any of the new radeon cards.

Anyways, these are the two I am looking at for this system -

MSI 6800 Ultra
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127144

that was my first thought, being the nvidia user that I am, but then I stumbled upon this, for a great price -

Radeon X850XT PE -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814129048

your thoughts?

I don't know much about ATI, but I DO know that
you can get the 6800GT and overclock it to 6800 Ultra
speeds and save $150 dollars.

Its the same card, just slower clock and way cheaper.

I have a 6800GT AGP. I paid $269 for it at Newegg 2 weeks ago.
For shits and giggles, I overclocked it to 420MHZ.
I have it running at 375 now.

Take a look at zipzoomfly.
They've been reducing video card inventory the last few weeks.

I picked up a new retail MSI X800XT-PE for $250 last week.

Thanks.  I think that if they are still in stock, I will go ahead and get a Visiontek Xtasy Radeon X850XT PE, which they have for $374.  It will at least give me a new toy to play with

You'll be very happy with the 850XT PE. They're kickass cards.

.

I found that I can actually get a 6800 Ultra cheaper, after rebate, off of newegg also.  Still kind of undecided, now that I saw that.

HDR lighting is a big +1 for the 6800s for me, but I will see what is in stock when I order.  

The difference between the 6800 Ultra and the X850XT aren't normally noticeable to the human eye.  Benchmarks will give a single-digit lead to the ATI card, but I'd say you'd be happy with either one for a while.  

Non-performance-wise, I've been a little happier with NVIDIA's repsponse-time in getting new drivers out when needed.

I ended up going with the 6800 Ultra, and ordered it today.

Hopefully it will be here tommorrow (overnight shipping).

Got it in the mail today, it ought to be a good upgrade to the Radeon 9800XT that was in that machine -

What?  They didn't send you a tissue with that?  You'd better get a Kleenex because the performance will bring a tear to your eye!