More boring video card questions!

[technix]

Here's some boring questions for ya...

I *want* these cards, ranked in order of preference:
1) ATI XFX 5850 HD-585A-ZNFC
2) ATI XFX 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC
*Black editions also acceptable

But, I'm not sure whether I'll have 1) the cash 2) overall support

Problem is I use Linux as well as Windoze and in Linux, the newest Evergreen ATI cards have support that is really gradual or to be really accurate and honest, slow (developing).

I'm wondering if I should go for a cheaper card. If so, which one? I am debating between the Evergreen cards and the following:
A) HD 4850 or HD 4770
B) Nvidia 9800GT or GTS 250
?????

Is the 5770 really that worth it to save up for? I have a Corsair HX520W PSU and it has the triple 12V rails I think. I recall it has 40A combined for the 12V rail.

The cpu is Intel Q6600 which I could overclock? Some of this hardware is a bit outdated/old but I've been told it's sufficient for any of the above cards. I'm just wondering whether to go on the cheap to ensure support in all operating systems or save up for the Evergreen card and use Windoze 7 with it plus Ubuntu or one of the few Linux OS's which claim official support for Evergreen cards.

I mostly use my card for video but I wouldn't mind trying out some games. It depends. I'd only be interested in ones in which I don't have to pay 'extra.'

Comments? Recommendations?

[_dangtx_]

for linux, me bro likes nvdias still. altough he says ati's are pain no more, like before.