what do we know about the new 6800 series?   (thinking of buying 6870 only 239.00 newegg)

Make sure you read up on it thouroughly. ATI did something different with the new 6000 series so that it's actually NOT better than the 5000 series as far as performance. Make sure you don't buy a new 6000 series card that isn't any better than the one you already have.

Here a really good review of the new card http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/37286-amd-radeon-hd-6870-hd-6850-review.html
Hope it helps
Stingray

6850 is on par with the 460 768MB

While the 6870 is about on par with its predecessor the 5850 ( in most benchmarks, but in actual game play it tends to fall behind )

On a side note; the 6870 uses 2 power connects. Sure i know you asking why im saying this. Most cards now a days have been using two 6 pin connectors. The reason i bring it up is the card uses 151w. You may be asking yourself, what does this mean? It means the max power for one connector is 150w. Thus the other is really only using about 1w . Kinda silly huh? lol

This shouldn't be considered an upgrade unless your running a card from the 4000 series.

That's what I was reading too.  So instead of plunking down the cash for one of those I am instead going to pick up something else I can afford.  An MSI 5830.