You're in luck, nVidia have just changed launch date of the 8800GT from November 12th to October 29th!
You can read about it here: www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20071009PD207.html

So, could be you get a really nice early X-MAS gift this year...even if it should be from yourself to yourself :)

ive got the 8600gts oc
and ive just played this demo 5min ago ..
it runs perfectly with 30+ fps on maxed out settings on 1440x900

Windows Xp SP2
AMD Athlon 3000+ on 2.3GHz
1GB 466mhz Kinston
2x 80gb hdd
1x 160GB raptorHDD @10,000rpm
BFG Geforce 8600GTS OC 256mb ram

I've got a 7800GTX, sure, it doesn't run games on the highest resolutions, but it's not all that bad. But then again, I'm getting a 8800GTS.

Ok
every forum ive checked out
for some reason everyone slags the 8600GT off
System spec wise - basically written
AMd Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual core @ 2GHz
2 gig RAM
Inno 3D 8600GT

It plays oblivion, Fear, Rainbow six Vegas, Bioshock with DX10
Completely maxed
inc full AA
HDR if available
Max Res

No problem

i just gotta pray for crysis now

but my point was, i dont see how anyone can "bad mouth" a card that plays games like that on max everything.
anyone care to explain?

At forums where such discussions usually take place, those hanging out there usually prefer to pray at the alter of "The Best Hardware Currently Available" and/or "Best Price/Performance Ratio" and since the 8600GT don't fall into either of those two categories it automatically falls into the "Free for all to stomp/taunt/ridicule category...?!?

As long as you're satisfied why bother what other ppl say/think/mean on the matter?

Just thought I would pitch in and say that I am running an overclocked 7800GTX and have been playing crysis beta on it for about 2 weeks now...its just impossible to get playable framerates with any of the settings above low. I have tried various detail settings etc and all in all once the action on the screen gets heavy the game slows to a crawl. I have died many a time because its slowed so many times.

I basically play it in 800x600 windowed mode with all detail settings on low and that allows decent play.

I should mention by system is a AMD X2 4400 with 2GB Ram.

ive just downloaded the beta demo and played it on max settings with an:
XFX Nvidia Geforce 8600GT 512mb NO LAG!!!

me gettin =}