I was browsing TigerDirect for something totally unrelated when I noticed that they had some great deals on video cards. I will be graduating in 3 days so money flow will be coming in from family so extra money will definitely be in the old wallet. I figured why not upgrade my stuff. In usual fashion, not shooting for something totally expensive and I have found two video cards.

Nvidia 8800 GT- http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3427124&Sku=P450-8812

I first found that, but then stumbled upon a card I think completely blows the 8800 GT out of the water for the exact same price.

ATI Radeon HD 3870- http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3481319&Sku=D10-3870

Just looking at the numbers, the ATI seems a heck of a lot better. But I have learned sometimes numbers aren't always correct or the best thing to go by. I made a post just to see what everyone thinks. Which should I get?

The first pick is the best pick here. And you did pick out a good card from an excellent manufactorer. XFX has the best warranty for their cards. EVGA is excellent too. The 8800GT will beat the 3870. I don't like ATI/AMD that much, but truly the first video card will be great. :) If you have a SLI board, maybe later if needed you can go SLI and then things might go smoother. I have an XFX Geforce 8800GTS which is a little bit faster than the 8800GT, and you can still see the lagging sometimes if you play crysis. Other games, I have no problem playing on 1680x1050 with max AA and everything set to maximum. What are the other hardware that you are going to have in the system. You have to know that if you want to get everything out of your video card you do need a good processor and enough memory. :)  

I will be buying 2 more gigs of PC6400 RAM that will make a total of 3GB. Will be getting a better PSU, which I was talking about in another post. I got an AMD X2 4200+, nothing special but it gets the job done for now.

I'll add this, if the ATI truly isnt as good as that regular 8800 GT, then I will most likely go ahead and buy this 8800 GTS.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3507889&CatId=3670

Do you think the GTS is that much better than a GT to justify an extra $50? 

I don't think it's worth $50 more, no.  The 8800GTS is a stronger performer, but is not worth 25%+ more price.  I wouldn't pay more than an extra $20 or $25 for it, personally.  Use that money to buy a fun game or something.