[DataStorm]

it's about the same as the last one, except they changed it from [x][y][z]0 to [x][y][z]

Ati's is worse because their newer generations can run slower than the previous ones of the same class.

yeah, at least with NVidia you know: newer model series is faster.

newest series top, oldest bottom:
5xx
4xx
2xx
9xxx
8xxx
7xxx
6xxx
5xxx
4xxx

higher number on the "xx" or "xxx" = faster card then a lower number on the series. Quite a easy scheme to follow.

yes, for example a 220 will be slower then a 9800 GTX+ or X2 etc. In general, I kept the rule: buy a card in the range of 150-175 euro (200 doller or so), then do bout 1-2 years with it, and buy a new one. The one at the top end costs always bout 3x or 4x as much, and in a couple months its half that price.

I'm still on a 9800 GTX+, and do 150-300 FPS in TF2... doesn't seem too bad imo. I dont feel the need to step over to a newer one yet.
tbh, I would rather invest in a upgrade of the CPU (Phenom I 9950 x4 to a Phenom II x6 latest/fastest)