i got a X850 Xt 256mb n it runs the dream, for games n maya etc but i duno how maya works but i would of thought it likes video ram a lot and i think i saw a a 512X800XL which would prolly run maya better has a slower core but more ram so i would go for that if your going for a design system rather than gaming.
I saw one on ocuk quite cheap like 150-200 cant remember it wos on a this week only offer i dunno now havea look. Get ATI though cos nvida suck compared, they rip you off u dont get half the bandwidth but u pay double the price its a right rip off. Ive looked at benchmarks ad stuff and the X850 always destroys nvidia competitor and also even higher ed nvidia cards.
Is the RAM u got ballistix cos i have same and there sweet, although im on cl2.0 timings it still rocks, would prefer 2.5 but too expensive.