Is the 8600GTS "good enough"?

Here is my dilemna.  Everyone basically says that an 8600GTS will not give better performance than a 7600GT, or sometimes its even worse.  This has lead me to believe that I need to wait until I can get about 300 dollars saved to buy an 8800GTS 320MB version.

I just want to know, would a 8600GTS be good enough for the following:
-1600x1050 resolution
-High textures for terrain, NPCs, and models
-Good HDR performance
-Medium shadows

I dont really like AA and shadows arent a big deal to me, and since they slow down my current system (7600GT) I often turn them to low or sometimes off.  I just like a lot of detail in my world, and while my current PC runs games such as Oblivion and Call of Jaurez rather well at 1600x1050 most of the time, the bogging down in grassy areas or areas with a lot of NPC activity is starting to annoy me.  Ever since I built this new rig I have set a new minimum standard for my hobby (nothing lower than 1600x1050) and I would just like to know if an 8600GTS (at 210 dollars max) would be good enough to maintain this standard for most upcoming games, or I would be better of getting an 8800GTS 320MB version.

i really doubt anyone said the 7600gt is better than the 8600gts they were probaly saying the 7600gt is better than the 8500gt the 8600gts is way better than the 7600gts overal the 8600gtsl pretty good card but if you could just wait and save a little bit more money then it would be a good idea because the 8800gts is only a little more than the 8600gts but it gives way better performance also what it the rest of your rig

Rest of my rig is:

eVGA 680i mobo
Core 2 Duo E6400
2GB G.Skill DDR2 800MHz memory
eVGA 7600GT 256MB
550W Rosewill PSU

You should definitely save up for the 8800GTS 320MB. The jump from an 8600GTS to an 8800GTS is a huge leap, performance-wise.

Or if you aren't patient enough, go with the X1950XT which will wreck an 8600GTS. 

The 8800GTS 320MB is good enough for that.

But personally, i'd go 640MB just for that extra room. 

I would just wait til you get $300 and get an 8800GTS anyway. With the box you currently have, that will definately ensure that you get the most out of your gaming experience.cell_dweller