Best video card for Athlon 64 3500+ & MSI K8N Neo2

[jSuvius]

From what I have gathered, people seem to prefer the GeForce 6800 series over the ATI X800 series in Athlon 64 systems. Is there truth to that? If I go with the GeForce, does it matter which brand of card I get? Is there any difference, for example, between the 6800 GTs made by eVGA, Gainward, and XFX?Also, is it worth spending an extra fifty bucks to get the 6800 GT Golden Sample?

 

[df96817]

Personal preference really. One card is not "better" than the other.

As for which brands are good:

Best 2D IQ:
leadtek

Best overclocking
Gainward Golden Samples

Best customer service/warrenty:
BFG

Best cooling:
ABIT OTES

My personal preference:
ASUS

Best bundled games usually:
EVGA

Best looking card:
Gigabyte and MSI

Best looking box:
XFX

Best at being evil:
PNY

Thank Schadenfroh for the info.