30$ CDN + 9600GT For 8800GT?

Yes, go with the 8800GT.

The 9600GT is just below the 8800GT in performance, not a LOT but quite lower. And the 8800GT has more SP.

more stream processors = better folding.

I would not spend 30$ unless u are using it for folding.

i would do it in an instant.

LOL, last post + second last post conflict. Reasonings? I may or may not fold, I am undecided.

Well overclocked 8800gt (with the same CPU and mobo as me) are roughly 500 points better in 3dmark06.

Is the 8800GT better? Certainly. Is it drastically better? Nope.

The real question is: is it worth 30$ to you?

Man, it's not worth $30. Don't bother. Save that cash for something with an impact on performance. 9600 -> 8800 performance improvement is minor.

Remember that with video cards, one generation's mainstream (the 9600) is about equivalent to the previous generation's high roller (the 8800). Same with ATi's 3800/4800, same with nVidia's 7900/8600). Don't waste a game (you can buy a good game with that cash) for a something that'll give you 2fps in games, 200 more points in 3d-mark and 1cm on your e-peen.

I was talking normal resolutions, mate. They're about equivalent, with the 8800 having a 5-10% edge (mind you, this margin is barely - if at all - noticeable). Your call if you want to throw out 30$ for so little.

I had a no-name 9600 and an eVGA 8800. They 'felt' the same in games. I had to use benchmarks to actually tell the difference. If you do the trade, you might be disappointed by your investment.

Also, my 9600gt has no fan control so I can't overclock it. My friend got a really good clock on his card. I'm just thinking I want to get it so I can overclock and it's also a slimmer card not a dual lane card.

What fan control? Isn't that a driver setting? Normally no fan control means that the fan is either spinning at 100% or not at all (which is bad). Other times, the fan is hardcoded to keep the card below a certain temp, meaning that if you overclock it it will simply rev up to 100% faster; but this behavior is usually ATi-specific and even then, driven by drivers.

Still if your card won't overclock at all and your 8800 might do a 15% OC then you might see some 15-20% tops performance (compared to a 10% margin on an 8800 w/o o/c).

Entirely your call. I'd stay away myself - I made the mistake of upgrading from a heavily OCed 7900GS (voltmod&stuff) to a stock 3870. Bad idea. Performance is better but defently wasn't worth the upgrade cost. I now regret the upgrade. Your best performance margin is even lower than mine was (my 7900GS could thrash any 8600, and I upgraded it to a rough equivalent of the 9600).

I've had both. And trust me, it's not worth $30. Save up so you can get a real upgrade. Like a HD4850/9800GTX+.

edit: i see u already bought it. Higher fan speed will not degrade the card, (MAYBE the fan, which would be a super cheap replacement, like under $5 for just the fan, and it would still last like 10 years i bet)
I ran mine at like 44% or so 24/7 since i noticed it when it hit 45%. 44% wasnt any louder. I run my GTX260 at like 50% all the time and i don't hear it.

omg this is the same way i got my 8800gt. I traded my 9600gt in with 20 bucks.. yes u should do it!! u won't imagine how much faster the 8800gt to the 9600gt

So far, unless I overclock the 8800GT I notice no real performance improvement. I enjoy overclocking it very much although.