What about the X800XT, I can get them for $750aud, yet ULTRA's are $900+.....and I'd hate to see the cooling set up on a 6850ULtra
That may be in australia but in the US you can find them for the same prices on most reputable sites.
And regarding the X800XT beating out the Ultra, well I've seen plenty of reviews that basically shows them neck and neck, not one beating out the other.
The fact remains, like I said Nvidia was the first to put out what has easily been considered the biggest leap in graphics processing for quite some time and ATI followed behind them, and are just now coming up with cards to compete.
ATI's attempt at a budget card was just pure crap.
As I said, Nvidia makes 6 good cards while ATI has driver issues on their first release and not only that have made a total of 13 some odd cards to compete which is simply ridiculous.
For all we know Nvidia could be waiting a couple months after ATI's R520 and introducing a 48pipeline card with 1gb of Vram (thats an exaggeration I know, dont take it literally)
All in all it's simply a matter of opinion also.
ATI hasn't upped the ante like you seem to think, they simply keep throwing out more cards making the one you bought a few months ago obsolete while people who buy a 6800GT have not only saved $200 instead of buying the Ultra but are getting the same speeds or beyond those of an Ultra (specifically eVGA brand of course)
Also you say "Cant imagine the cooling on the 6850" whys that...like ATI has some supreme method of cooling? As far as heat goes both cards are around the same.
There's no point in continueing as you'll simply say 'But ati this...but ati that' and I'll retort with 'Well nvidia this, and nvidia that' and it's never ending.
I dreaded opening this thread when I first saw the title muchless a poll option.