When it comes to FSAA I'd sure as hell prefer pure Multisampling + EATM (or SS AAA if fixed properly). The blur filters may produce some soft edges, but who likes blur filters? I surely don't!
And the newer driver isn't pushing the HD2900XT past the GTX in all apps (Oblivion seems to be one of the few?). [See].
I mean, there might be more driver optimization coming, and it is VERY hard to tell what can still be done and what cannot. But it seems as if highly texture mapping intensive DX9 apps aren't R600s domain. I'd say, this will be at best GTX level (when looking at more than one game of course).
Problem is, that it wasn't at launch time. So publicity is initially bad, which won't help ATi selling the R600 (launch articles are very important).
I can't believe they didn't manage to supply the better driver 1-2 weeks earlier..