regarding graphics cards, is it much better to just get nvidia?
the cards i am looking at include:

• 8400 gs
• 8500 gt
• 9400gt
• 9500gt
• 8600gt
• 8600gts
• gt220
  
• hd3850
• hd2900 pro
• hd3870
• hd4670
• gt 240
• 8800gts
• 9600gt
• 9800gt
• 8800gt
  
• hd4830
• hd4770
• 9800 gtx
• 8800gtx
• gts 250
  
• hd4850
  

they are ordered by performance. the best price/performance ones seem to be the hd4850, 8800gt, 9800gt, 8800gts, and the 8600gts.
Would it make much more sense to just go for one of the nvidia cards (there are no problems with drivers for any of them, right?), or could i get the 4850? i have seen a patch thread, however if it will be much easier with a nvidia card I will just go with that.