Big difference I reckon.

Are you struggling with the 8600 though?

Ive got a 7900GTX which isnt massively better and I am managing ok at 1920 x 1200 res (admittedly details down, but you cant have everything).

What resolution are you using?

I'm using 1440 x 900 everything on high and no AA, and get around 90fps when it's quiet, 60 when it's fairly busy and 30 in firefights.

Dropping stuff to lows gives a decent boost, and using your FPS config you posted up earlier also has a huge effect, but I like having the details on high to enjoy the great graphics as much as to play.

The config I posted up yesterday also seems to have had a decent impact, as you know Source is pretty CPU intensive, and I reckon half the issues people have with FPS aren't graphics card related at all.

The 9600 is in mind as it's obviously going to be better than the 8600, but also (and to be honest this is the main reason), I'm a total geek and I want to build the hardest low profile PC in existence