2 Q's: Should I Upgrade & 2GB 4870x2 or Two 512MB 4870's

Hola,

Q1
I am seriously considering buying a Velocity Micro Z55 and am unsure about a video card(s). My research (albeit I am a little brain) tells me that the performance is similar - most sites (Tom's Hardware in particular) choose the two 4870's as the difference in price is not worth the performance increase. I am leaning towards the 4870x2 because the price difference is inconsequential on the VM site and it will take up less room in the case. Opinions?

Q2
My current rig is a 9 month old Dell XPS 630 (32BitVista, SLI 2x8800GT's, 2x500MB 7200RPM HD 1TB total Raid 0, Duo E8500 3.16, 4GB 800mhz DDR2). I have a friend who will buy this from me leaving a net of about $1300 to upgrade to a Velocity Micro Z55 (64 bit Vista SP1, 2GB 4870x2 or two 512MB 4870’s, 2x500MB 7200RPM HD 1TB total Raid 0, i7 920 processor; 8GB RAM 1300mhz DDR3). Monitor Samsung Syncmaster T260. Is it worth it?

A bit about my computer use:
I am a gamer but more for MMO's (AoC and SWG). I am of the opinion that this system will be more flexible as far as upgrades go down the line. I enjoy being able to "wow" my friends when they come over (vain I know - but then again I am a l00t whore in SWG - I enjoy pretties - hehe). I do not do any "heavy" computer use outside of gaming. I like the pretty blue lights.

My current set-up does everything I want it to do. My thinking is that the new box has a larger upgrade potential - that I will be able to stay near the high-end of gaming longer with the i7 processor and DDR3 memory. I am only losing $500 on the Dell XPS by reselling it. Basically I would be paying $500 to rent the Dell for 9 months and upgrade to the Velocity Micro rig.

Is the Velocity Micro system significantly more "future proof" than the Dell?


W.W.Y.G.D.(What Would You Guys Do)?

Thanks in advance

/curtsey

hehe

s

PS sorry if this is posted in the wrong forum