A final answer about Radeon 8500 and GF3s please

[MANKOU]

Are there compatibility problems with programs and/or games with the 8500 Radeon? I 've never got an ATI video card and the reason was either the complaints I was hearing about the lack of drivers or the poor performance or the incompatibilities with some games.
How are things today? Would it be wise to go for a 8500 or should I stick to old, trustworthy, well supported Nvidia's cards? (BTW, I can't spent too much, so GF4 or GF3 Ti500 are out of the question. GF3 Ti200 is the one that's in my budget)
Thanks in advance.

 

[Narse]

My 8500 plays everything I throw at it fine with the newest drivers, its fast and stable and its has a ton of features, go for the 8500

 

[MANKOU]

OK thanks. I think it's time to see what this "ATI's excellent 2D" is about

 

[Vortex22]

<< My 8500 plays everything I throw at it fine with the newest drivers, its fast and stable and its has a ton of features, go for the 8500 >>



Ditto here also.

 

[tazdevl]

8500 retail is my first ATI purchase. Drivers have been fine. No issues. 2D is better than the 2 GF3's I owned.

Here is a link to a review on GamePC that compares 8500 performance to 2 brands of Ti4600 cards, Ti500, GF3, Ti200 and MX460.