I know that crossfire works better than sli. I know nvidia single chip is better than ati single chip. But i plan on getting the 4870x2, but wants a board that supports crossfire, as there might be many boards that support both. What is my best option.

I don't have enogh for the 790i, but I can afford the 780i but I don't know how well this northbridge works with ati crossfire.

Let me add, i know i can use any mobo with this card, but one day when it drops to like 350, i might buy another one, and I want have to change boards. I know i will also need vista

*scratches head*

hmm, first off the x2 does not need a crossfire capable mobo to work, second crossfire and sli are incompatible.

really though, it would be better to just get a x38/48 based board or p45 or something like that.

I agree - you seem to be very confused by SLI and crossfire.

If you plan on getting the 4870x2 and want to add another later, go with X38/X48.

If you want SLI, get the 780i or 790i (DDR3 only)

I am only familiar about sli, and it chipsets. I am not familiar with Ati at all, about what is best for it. ATI now seem to be better than Nvidia, so I think I am going to a 4870x2 and new mobo. If not the gtx280 and the evga or asus 780i will work out great.

i am not confused, that why I came right back and said I know a single chip can work on any mobo. But since I think I am going to go with ati this year over nvidia, I might as well make it crossfire board also. I just didn't know what chipset works best with ati. The 790i is a 300 - 400 dollars mobo and I was just saying I can't afford that plus the card. I know this is an sli board, but i was only referencing to it because of the outstanding price. And no way can i pay 500 for gpu 300 for mobo and 300 for ram.

I know the difference, it just might not come out that way.

The 790i is a SLI board - wouldn't let you crossfire in the future. If you were only planning on 1 card, then why would that board even be on the table in the decision process? The purpose of those high-end boards is for using multiple GPUs and having lots of features.

If you want to go SLI, get the 780i or 790i (though this has the problem of only using DDR3).

If you want to go crossfire, get the X38 or the X48.

If you want only one card or limited ability to upgrade (at least at full bandwidth) get the P35/P45.

I would say go for X38/X48 - around 200-250.

Get the 4870 - around 250-270 OR the 4870x2 - around 550, I believe.

Get 2x2GB RAM - anywhere from 50-100.

I hope this helps you out.

Yes, I understand fully. 2x2gb is more like 119, 4870x2 is 570.16
I think I am going to go with the RAMPAGE FORMULA,


Lastly I plan on doing this like next week. Which one is leading overall
the GTX 280 on a 780i
or the 4870x2 on the x48

both will be a 2x2Gb with the Q9550CPU
Thanks for the help with the x48.

Is the p5q or the p45 meant for sli or crossfire?

The P45 can support crossfire, but won't run the graphics cards at full x16 when both are installed, I believe. If you have one card in the P35/P45, it will run at x16. If you install 2 cards, they will both run at x8.

Here is a spec from newegg about the P5Q P45 board: 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (@ x16, x0, or x8, x8)

That is why people go with the X38/X48 - for full x16 lanes. If you have 2 cards in, they will both still run at a full x16.

Thanks well I am done here once the parts come back in stock, i will order them.