Regarding graphics cards I went the nvidia route getting an MSI 5900 v.nice. Out of the two I would certainly go for the 9700pro as I think it has 8 pixel pipelines as apposed to the 4 on the 9600xt (correct me if im wrong).
You did say it was a $15 difference didn't you?
I used to have a Ti-4200 but found that the new games coming out are a bit sluggish on it.
So all in all it depends how much you wanna spend and how future proof you want your system to be.