No its not going to be as powerfull as a 8800, its going to be a mid range card.

From a marketing stand point, nvidia doesnt need to release a top range card just yet. There more more worth while refining there card waiting till production costs are less.

I expect a new nvidia card to knock the 8800 off the crown about feb+.

Nvidia doesnt want all the people buying a new card at xmas when they can buy already produced 8800's