dont get the 8500, i thought the same thing when i saw the 1gig on it but it sucks! i returned that thing the next day and paid 50 more bucks (US) and got a 8800 gt and it's great. Dunno about the 9600 but they are close to the same price, i was talking to someone on irc the other day and he put it like this...

The 8800 is like a 40 year old woman, you know she will know how to please you because she's experienced and knows how to make you happy...

The 9600 is like a 20 year old, it may be as good as the 8800 but we dont really know yet, cause it hasen't been as heavily tested...


So i went with the 8800 and never looked back...

Morale of the story is 40 year old milf > 20 year old noob in the sack