>> The GTX260 is basically a twice-renamed 8600GT,
really ? afaik, a GTX260 has practically twice more power than a 9800 GT.
my brother can run Batman Arkham City with graphics at high and res 1680x1050 it plays very fast. PhysX needs to be lowered (but it is enabled!) as this game's PhysX demands a second vidcard.
he can play Dolphin (Wii emulator) with all graphic options cranked up. Emulator run games at full speed.
last time I heard, MAME's hlsl is not optimized for speed.