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AMD/ATI Crossfire Combo versus Intel/Nvidia SLI Combo

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I could use some advice, I am not up to date with the whole SLI versus Crossfire positive and negatives. From IBuyPower.com I got the following choices

Option 1
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ CPU
AMD CrossFire 480X MB
1GB DDR2-800 Memory
250GB 7200 RPM SATA-2 HDD
18x Double Layer DVD+/-RW
2x ATI HD 2400XT 256MB 16x PCI-Express Video [Cross-Fire]
7.1 Channel 3D Surround Sound
600 Watts Subwoofer Speakers
10/100/1000 Network LAN
Eagletech Sidewinder Gaming Case w/MOD window
Windows VISTA Home Premium
(~$719)

versus

Option 2
Intel® Core 2 Duo E6550 CPU
ASUS P5KPL-VM Intel G31chipset
DDR-2 PCI-Express MB
1GB DDR2-800 Memory
160GB 7200 RPM SATA-2 HDD
18x Double Layer DVD+/-RW
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT
16x PCI-Express Video
7.1 Channel 3D Surround Sound
600 Watts Subwoofer Speakers
10/100/1000 Network LAN
Eagletech Sidewinder Gaming Tower Case w/MOD Window
~$609.00

My limit is ~$1,000, and intend to purchase Windows XP Pro with the combo and probably up the processor on either combo

I am leaning toward the AMD/ATI Crossfire combo, primarily because I have always had good luck with AMD/ATI past builds. Yet most of my IT friends are advising the Intel/Nvidia SLI combo build

More about : amd ati crossfire combo versus intel nvidia sli combo

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at this time crossfire outdoes sli due to nvideas terrible sli drivers.
the ati/amd crossfire drivers are good and perform well on games ...
the nvidea turtles should have its sli drivers updated by february
and then sli will blow away crossfire ..

If your budget is $1000 and the Intel build is at $609, swap out that 8500 for a 8800gts 320mb for an additional $200, then take the rest of your budget and get a Q6600 for an additional $100. Windows XP pro: $90. Exchange that 1GB for 2GB of GSkill for $50. Tons of power and potential.
In total:
8800 gts 320mb: $270.00 (minus the $80 for that 8500, that's only a $200 difference)
Q6600: $280.00 (minus 172.00 for the E6550=only $108 difference)
1gb to 2gb upgrade = extra $50 (optional for later)
XP Pro: $90.
Just think about the massive upgrade that you can get and still come in on or just $30 or so over budget. Not bad, eh?


You can't use SLI with the ASUS P5KPL-VM Intel G31chipset board anyways. Unless you have a six figure income or gaming is your only hobby stick with a single video card. It's a lot less headache...

If you're using XP pro you wont be able to use direct x 10 since it's vista only

Get 2gb of 667 or 800mhz ram for about $60-70
Get the q6600 for $280
Get a 1950pro/xt video card $150-$180, or a 8800gts 320 if you have the scratch.

Be sure to set aside $100 for a GOOD power supply, 500w+ it's the most important part of the system since it can kill any or all of the other components if it fails....
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