Greetings!
 
There are two combos going on at newegg that I am considering, and I need opinions on which will perform better in SLi:
 
    BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCE GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail  
    BFG Tech BFGE88512GTOCE GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail  
    BFG Tech BFGR650PSU ATX 12v 2.0 / EPS 12V 650W Power Supply - Retail  
 
    Original price: $469.97
    Discount: -$40.00
    Combo Price: $429.97  
 
AND
 
 
    EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail  
    RAIDMAX QUANTUM RX-700 ATX12V / EPS12V 700W SLI Power Supply - Retail  
 
    Original price: $279.98
    Discount: -$35.00
    Combo Price: $244.98  
    (will buy another another one of these: $149.99)
 
 
In what resolutions will each SLi set up perform better in and in what size monitors?
These combos look good to me but maybe I am wrong.  Do you suggest I wait a bit before upgrading my GPU?
 
Thank you much!

It'll play good in 1600x1200, 1920x1200 will do fine too

Performance wise, go with the 8800gt?
Price wise, go with the 9600gt?

9600GT, go for it. The performance between the two isnt noticable, but the pric is.

Get 2 9600gt to save money

I did the math on how much it would cost for my system depending on which combo I go with.
 
If I go with the EVGA combo and factor in all the other hardware I need, I will end up paying ~$1058 up front (~$1001 after mail in rebates).
 
If I go with the BFG combo and factor in all the hardware, I will end up paying ~$1100 up front (~$990 after mail in rebates).
 
 
I don't mind paying more up front if I'll have a much better SLi set up than the other.  Any suggestions?
 
On another note, I am putting myself at risk of possibly losing money if those mail in rebates don't go though.  Sigh*  choices choices!

i would say go with the 8800gt the performance right now isn't noticeable but a little down the road you will see it

Thank you for the replies.  I hope I get some more.
 
I'm new to the computer building scene and there are probably more options I could take, i.e. buying one top end GPU to go with my SLi mobo, and wait a while after and purchase another GPU.  I guess another route I could take is wait a bit for new technology and price drops, but my computer is like 4-5 years old.  I'm in need of a huge computer upgrade  
 
Just thought of something.  If I do end up going the one high end GPU route, those combos above look too good to pass up (this coming from a completely unsavvy newbie computer builder).  In some one's more knowledgeable experience, are those combos even good?

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

The PSUs dont rate so well there, so might consider avoiding the combo deals.  Also you will want to spend the extra $$ to get an 8800GT with a dual slot cooler, they run pretty warm and the single slots dont seem to be too popular.  If thats not in the budget, I'd go with the 9600s.

I would also not get one highend card right now.  Hold off to see what the 9900 does before jumping in like that.

Id go with 2 8800gt and single slot coolers are fine if your case has good airflow (at least 2 120mm fans) just my opinon.  

I had the same dilemma and decided to go with the 9600gt since there isn't a huge difference in performance. I went with the new Asus 9600gt Silent, they are supposed to run 10 degrees cooler than reference coolers and they are silent. Nice price too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121244

Even though I got my 8800GT's back in February, I would make the same choice now and get the 8800's over the 9600's if for no other reason than the amount of Stream Processors, 112 on the 88's versus 64 on the 96's.

Getting the 8800 GT's will give you more performance, and I would suggest not getting those BFG cards. They cost about 235$ each.  
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318
 
EVGA's 8800 GT model is ~190$ and 160 a piece w/ rebate, and for that price the performance will be noticeable.

Two 8800GT are a more powerful combo. Check out each game:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardwar [...] /page3.asp
 
But two 9600GT offer alot for the price.  If you play your rebates right, you could do better pricing than you have posted.  You could even mix/match brands(because rebates limited to one per address) and score two 9600GT's for $120 each after rebates.  
 
I'm running a 3.0GHz Q6600, two optical drive, 2 HDD,  and two 8800GT on the 550W version of this one.  Priced the same right now, may as well buy the 650W though.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371001
 
$340 AR's isn't bad for two 9600GT and the SLI certified, Seasonic made, Antec 650W.