Assassinator Wrote:

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:8800GTX is a ripoff.  The GTS only runs a tad bit slower but costs so much less.  Even if you're going for a high end machine, get the GTS.

GTS is still a ripoff. 8600 for the win. excellent price-to-performance card, and will run almost everything at max settings anyways.

Price to performance wise, the #600's are designed for value.  For a high end computer, you'd go for a #800 or #900 usually.  However, never go for top-of-the-line - that's usually too much.
When I bought my computer, for example, the mid-range card was a 6600GT.  I got a 7800GT instead.  6600GT is somewhat low end nowadays whereas the 7800GT still fares quite well; top of the end card at that time was the 7800GTX 512MB edition.  In terms of price, yes the 6600GT is probably way better, but if you want a high end machine, it wouldn't fare.

Well, your choice - either get a high-end computer, or a mid-range and upgrade later.
I knew that I couldn't really upgrade my computer when I bought it (Intel and AMD were both moving onto new CPU sockets) so I decided to go high end rather than go for an upgrade path.