originally the geforceFX card would have been... per paper specs... a little slower than the 9700pro if not around the same performance...
since the r300 debuted @ the performance it did... nvidia redesigned many aspects of the card to make sure it will be top of the line when it does come out... hence the geforceFX SHOULD outperform the 9700pro per what the nvidia white paper says...
however... the availability of the card is the question...
the card might be paper launched @ comdex monday as promised... but is more likely to be a demo than anything else... about what the card can do... raw benches are NOT expected @ comdex so don't hold your breath... many of the top hardware reviewing sites have said as much...
what is very likely is that the card will NOT ship till at least january/february...
basically the product will be paper launched and should PERHAPS be in the stores in very small numbers... optimistically speaking...
hopefully benches on the card will be posted by the end of this month or december so that consumers have a good idea of the performance...
from the ati quarters the general feeling is that the paper launch is to cut sales of the 9700pro in december and nothing more...
in a side note.. the 9700pro that was reviewed by top JEDEC peeps was fully ddr II compliant... and that casts some doubt on the EE statement saying that the nv30 is the only fully ddr II compliant card out there... (um WILL be when it is out there)...
on another side note...
the card should be priced around 360 dollars...
thats the best news on the card...
will keep you lads posted on the OFFICIAL retail date of the card.. though am sure that our resident Nvidia god EP will keep tabs on the product