FightingScallion

Given nVidia's history in releasing cards and the quality of what you're currently running, I'd wait a month or two or three and wait for them to get the 9800 clocks up to something repectable (geez, I think that's below the ATI HD 36xx series). My feeling (yes, I'm an ATI user, but take it for what it's worth) is that nVidia was a little surprised by the success of the HD 3870 x2 and had to hurry something a bit. I also don't know how their drivers are at this point, but from what I've seen, that's likely to be a problem, too.

The 9600 is an alright card, but at the moment it is way more expensive than it should be for what it is (compare its specs to HD 3870s and then compare prices and you'll see what I mean). Your mobo kinda shows you want to stick with nVidia. Given that, I'd strongly recommend you wait until nVidia has their niche (high-end cards) firmly under control. The last thing you'd want to see is someone who spent the same on a mid-range card but bought ATI outperforming you. ATI has already said they're looking to go for lower-cost, efficiency, and mid- and low-range cards and is pretty much leaving the realm of the 8800s and 9800s to nVidia. Kind of puts them both where they naturally ended up anyway. For what it's worth.

If you can hold off until June, rumors abound (or maybe it was announced) that ATI would be launching the HD 4xxx series. That might drive nVidia prices down a wee bit.

By the way, if that's a picture of you for your avatar, thanks for your service to our great nation.