sorry about the links (they seem to be dead), the cards specs are:

Diamond Radeon HD 3650

GPU/VPU: RADEON HD 3650


RAMDAC: Dual 400 MHz


Additional Features: HDCP Enabled
OpenGL 2.0
Vista Certified
DirectX 10.1
CrossFireX Ready


Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (Digital)


Video Memory: 1GB


Memory Type: DDR2


Core Clock: 725 MHz


Memory Interface: 128-bit


Memory Clock: 2000 MHz


Stream Processors: 120


Interface Type: PCI Express 2.0


Interface Speed: x16


Nvidia 8800gt:

GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT


RAMDAC: Dual 400 MHz


Additional Features: RoHS Compliant
HDCP Enabled
HDTV Ready
SLI Ready
OpenGL 2.0
DirectX 10
PCI Express 2.0
Vista Certified


Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (Digital)


Video Memory: 256MB


Memory Type: DDR3


Core Clock: 600 MHz


Memory Clock: 1400 MHz


Shader Clock: 1500 MHz


Interface Type: PCI Express 2.0


Interface Speed: x16


Connector(s): Dual DVI (Dual Link)
HDTV/S-Video


Multiple Monitors Support: Yes

Nvidia 8600gts:

GPU/VPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS


RAMDAC: Dual 400 MHz


Fill Rate per Second: 10.8 Billion pixels


Additional Features: Vista Ready
RoHS Compliant
HDTV Ready
SLI Ready
OpenGL 2.0
DirectX 10


Maximum Resolution: 2560 x 1600 (Digital)


Video Memory: 256MB


Memory Type: GDDR3


Core Clock: 675 MHz


Memory Clock: 2000 MHz


Shader Clock: 1450 MHz


Stream Processors: 32


Memory Bandwidth: 32GB/sec.


Interface Type: PCI Express


Interface Speed: x16


Connector(s): Dual DVI
HDTV/S-Video


Multiple Monitors Support: Yes

again, this card will be used for moderate gaming and hd movies. the system will have windows vista, 4gb ram, 520gb hdd, and a 17" monitor (soon to be 22")

For gaming the 8800 is better, but for movies and rendering ATI wins hands-down. The 8600 is horrible, stay far away, what you are currently running may be better. I like the new 3000 series, as I use the card for gaming, movies, as well as 3D rendering. The ATI card also has integrated HD sound through the HDMI port. Sorry for the late reply, Mav.

The 8800GT is a really nice card, but you might want to look into the 9600GT, which is fairly cheap.

The 9600 is not a top end card, but for moderate gaming it'll be fine. I've never used any of these cards, just recycling what I've read others say so I'd recommend googling for some reviews before buying.

Sorry my answer's not really to your question... Just what came to mind when I read it.

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