Video Card Advice

[hoom]

Of the original post options, the 7800GS is certainly the better choice, there is little point in anything less & certainly no point in a x600 grade card with 512MB.
A x8/x900 grade with 256MB will destroy that in performance easily except at unplayable high resolution with high AA/AF.

I have an X1900GT (PCI Express, '12 pipe', 256MB model) and am completely happy with its performance in well, everything I've thrown at it at 1920*1200 with min 2*AA & 8*AF.

Depending on resolution (ie unless you have need to play at higher resolutions than mine/with higher AA/AF), CPU speed is going to be your major limiting factor in a RTW based engine.

So I'd say either the 7800GS (apparently the most powerful Nvidia AGP card) or an X1950Pro AGP (newer & better than a X1900GT but similar price & it destroys the 7800GS in performance) is the way to go.
Or, if you are planning on mostly only playing EB at lower resolutions, the x600 grades from both ATI & Nvidia should be adequate.