Problem Deciding

Tom's just did a new benchmark review on video cards. I would strongly suggest looking at the data here. They have SLI card setups and such in there. (though they tested the GTX 260 & not the GTX 260 core 216 which is faster).

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2073.html

Whether to go with an ATI/AMD card, or nVidia card also depends on which games you will be playing. Some games are better optimized for different cards...

The only other part that is pretty much set in stone is an Intel Core 2 Quad (Q6600). I have a 750W power supply picked out as well.

Yes, I plan to OC. The case I'm looking at is the Antec Nine Hundred, unless a better case at around the same price ($100-150) can be recommended. I'd also like to add that I plan on buying a 22'' monitor eventually, and I will be using filters like AA, though I probably won't be going crazy with it.

I'd like to keep the card as close to $300 as possible. I'd like to keep the entire computer as close to $1000 as possible, but no more than $1300.

^ That's fanboyism

@OP:

Good choice on PSU and CPU. Good selection on case too, my personal favorite .

With the above specs, you might want to get the 4870. Also do you have a P45/X48 board for future CrossFire?

At the moment I only have two motherboards picked out. Here they are:

ASUS Rampage Formula X48
EVGA nVidia nForce 780i SLI

I'm completely willing to look at other boards. These were just two I picked out because they were recommended to me. Like I said, what motherboard I use depends on what card I pick. If I pick a nVidia card, I'll want a good SLI motherboard. If I pick an ATi card, I'll want a good Crossfire board. The only criteria I have is that it has to be able to use DDR2 800 and be compatible with that CPU I posted. So it's important that I know which of the two cards I should use. I want it to be future-proof. I was even considering getting the 4870 (1GB) just because I would then buy a Crossfire motherboard and then later switch to 4870x2 CF later. I'm looking more at the future than I am at the present right now, so that's a factor.

That's assuming I would go with a Radeon card, though. I still haven't been able to make a decision yet as to which card I want. What's holding me back a bit is whether or not it will be more worth it in the long term to invest in a Crossfire motherboard or a SLI motherboard. Regardless of which card I buy, I will eventually buy another one and run the two together. What I'd like to know is which would be a more future-proof investment considering the better cards like the GTX280 and 4870x2 and their dual-card capabilities. The plan I'd like to have is to buy one motherboard, and simply have to switch out the cards (and maybe the power supply) rather than having to replace everything once the upper-echelon cards become affordable.

Also, what about PhysX? Is it much of a reason to get a nVidia card over an ATi card?

Well, if there isn't a really big reason why I should take another look at the GTX 260 Core 216, I think I'm going to go with the Radeon HD 4870 (1GB) GPU accompanied by the ASUS Rampage Formula X48. Thanks for all of your input and help.