SLI/Xfire mobo question

I have a fast noob question I hope someone can help me out on. I am looking at this board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128080

The manufacture page says Supports CrossFireX™ with Dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 graphics for extreme gaming performance.

But also says # 2 x PCI Express x16 slots supporting ATI CrossFire™ technology
(The PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

Does that mean I can run SLI or xfire? I am asking b/c right now I am considering buying a 8800gt.

Thx for the help

Ah ok thx man. It should be ok with the 9800gx2 tho right?

Thx again. I noticed you have the 500gb Seagate in your sig. How is that? I was planing on buying the WD one. You have any experience with the WD?

cool, going to stick with WD. Thx for all the help

Convo, I recommend you get the 750GB WD (WD7500AAKS). It's faster than the 500GB version and actually a bit cheaper per GB.

The GA-X38-DS4 should work fine with 8800GT or with 9800GX2, but you lose the ability to add a second card because these are nVidia cards and don't support Crossfire. You could get the GA-X38-DS4 and an HD 3870X2, and add another HD 3870X2 later when/if needed.

Or, if you prefer nVidia video cards, get yourself an eVGA 780i motherboard, which will allow you to add a second nVidia card. Get an 8800GTS G92 512MB now or a 9800GTX (whenever it's out). Stay away from the 9800GX2, I don't think you will be able to combine two of these with good results. I may be wrong, but I remember the 7950GX2, combining two of those didn't work well.

What kind of PSU and case do you have in mind?

Actually... you can use more than one Nvidia card... you just can't SLI them. So if you needed more monitors or something...

-mcg

Still posting cobblers I see, I'm running 1680 x 1050 on 2 8800GT's and the SLI indicators go all the way to the top and bottom of the screen showing that SLI is not useless below 1920 x 1200.

If you really are 17 years old then I have been around for more than twice as long as you and have no need to read your faq. When you have used many cards over many years and have much more experience than me then you may have something to teach me but until then...

I found a combo deal through Evga. 10% off if you bought the 780i and 8800gt 512 together. I just went that route. It cost me 450 but I am happy with the deal

Not bad at all.

Make sure you get a good PSU, just in case you want to try SLI later. My favorite PSU for this sort of setup is the OCZ Silencer 750W ($140 at www.buy.com these days). The Corsair 620HX would also be able to handle two 8800GT cards, and it's modular too, but it leaves less room for adding hard disks and other upgrades.

A setup with two 8800GT cards absolutely needs a case with good cooling. Antec 900 would be good, and Cooler Master Stacker better. Then there's always the Silverstone TJ-09, designed specially for best cooling of SLI setups.

I suggest you try that one 8800GT card for a while and see how it feels. Depending on your monitor resolution, your preferred eye-candy level, and the games you play, you may never need a second card or you may need it soon. Keep in mind that SLI does wonders in some games and nothing at all in others, with most games somewhere in between.

I been building the machine over a month so have some of the parts already. I have the Cooler Master Stacker case and a Pc Power and cooling 610watt PS. That should be cool right?

Nice!!