S!
If playing other games too than IL-2 then the choice would be the new AMD card. It gives quite a good performance for the buck at the moment and is faster than the nVidia 460GTX(non-OC). I use now for a moment 5870HD, my 480GTX was bought out of my computer!
Waiting now for either 580GTX or the new 6XXX series coming soon..or the Kepler from nVidia. Shall see..
It was a moment of wtf when I installed the 5870HD again
It is so quiet compared to the nVidia vacuum cleaner
Nevertheless nVidia will for sure improve their performance per wattage in the upcoming Kepler thus less noise and heat.