Go with nvidia, if you want better driver support, compatibility and performance.
Also they got physx too, which will enhanced your gaming experience.
Linux still have problem with ATI card and some games still doesn't optimize well even though the card
raw power is greater than GTX280.

Yes, GTX260 216 will beat HD4870 performance in many games.
HD4870 using R700 architecture which is optimized version of R600 (GDDR5, 55nm, 800 steam processor, DirectX10.1 and clock speed)

GTX200 is new architecture. Although it still using Directx 10, I don't see any directx 10.1 games coming or 10.1 is just hotfix for 10 i'm not sure, so don't bother.
Or if you can wait long enough, wait till DirectX 11 card coming out

peace.



This post has been edited by Hisyamudin: Feb 3 2009, 12:06 PM