Hello here is a dilema I can get a XFX Geforece fx5950 ultra 256MB or 256MB Radeon 9800 XT for roughly same price £25 difference. Everwhere I look I'm told that right now ATI is slightly better however as mroe games use DX9 ATI will be far better. At same time I hear a lot of driver issues with ATI cards. RIght I am runninga FX5600 256RAM and its stable as a rock so which one shall I go for.

Depends what you want, peace of mind, or the fastest card. The ATI drivers picked up quite a bad reputation a couple of years ago for being buggy, this is no longer the case, the latest Catalyst drivers are superb, and have been extensively tested with Xp. If you want to stick with what you know, go for the GeForce, if you want the fastest card, go with the Radeon.

did some more diggin and i cant belive that I will but not since 1999 I am gona go back to ATI and get the 9800 XT from sapphire as its only 25 quid more than the 9050 ultra fx same 256 ram but a lot quicker I just hope the drivers are as stable as people claim

The 9800XT is top dog right now...personally, I'd never shell out that kinda cash for a card that will be "outdated" in 6 months. Look at you...replacing a FX5600 already...was it worth it? Ask anyone who paid the big bucks for a 4200Ti when it 1st came out if they got their money's worth. Unless you've got the money to throw away, buying leading edge technology is almost always a waste of money. Then again, it seems you must have money to burn if you say the two cards are "roughly same price" & then say there's a £25 difference...$50 is a fairly big difference in my book.

ATI drivers have improved from where they were 3-4 years ago. The 9800XT or 9800 Pro would be the way to go. I have a 9800 Pro and games run super smooth and great quality. As soon as full DX9 games are released the 9800 based cards will be significantly superior to the FX cards. You will notice a big jump in performance from your 5600.

most occasions I would agree no point buying a top of range card as the cost is too high but only reason is 1. someone is buying my card at near the full price I paid for which was allready way below the retail as I get nice prices 2. the xt is not gonna cost me a thing as funds are raised from selling some other old computer spares so in such case who cares at least I get the best card and it dont cost me anything