AMD/ATI Crossfire Combo versus Intel/Nvidia SLI Combo

[Troll_Mage]

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

 

[maniac9856]

im no expert but if your buying the 8500gt but not using its directx 10 then arnt you better off with a 7900gt which i think is the same price and better in directx 9?

 

[Guest]

8500gt is a dog when it comes to gaming I believe... Even in SLI

 

[zingers]

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 ..

 

[DJ_Jumbles]

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?

 

[jwolf24601]

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....