SLI or Crossfire

[Metalice]

So which would be better in the long run
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
x2 in a Newegg.com - EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i FTW SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Or Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE Toxic 100225TXSR Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
x2 in a Newegg.com - ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

I have heard good things about both, but have never really used ATI cards before so i am unsure as to which would perform better. Or do they pretty much preform the same.

[veedubfreak]

Neither. Unless you are running a 24" or bigger monitor just get a single 8800GTS 512 or 9800GTX and be done with it.

[Metalice]

Actually i am getting either a Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 2253BW Black 22" 2ms(GTG) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP Support 300 cd/m2 DC 8000:1 - LCD Monitors
or a Newegg.com - SCEPTRE X24WG-1080P Black 24" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 4000:1 Built in Speakers - LCD Monitors

But i guess in the long run i should just grab the 22 in and stick with a single 8800 gts? Saving money is always a good thing .
Thanks for the advice.

[veedubfreak]

Heh, before you take this the wrong way, let me explain my answer. I went from a single GTS320, to SLI GT, to SLI GTS512, to quad SLI 9800gx2. Now i'm back to a single 8800GT. Your best bet is just to get a good x38 board, a good quad core, and a good single video card. Its fun to mess around with, but after its all said and done, its way more than is really needed. Right now i have 2 600 dollar video cards sitting on the desk because they are just way more than is needed for any game on the market. And crysis isnt considered a game, its just a tech demo, as its not really any fun.

[Metalice]

Hehe I see, well good thing i asked then because thats what I was originally planning on doing from the start . I just don't like to not go the extra little bit if its gonna be a big improvement. At the same time though I don't want to spend the extra money unless its needed. Seeing as i am not building my PC around Crysis (mb in the future when more games come out like it).Thanks for the advice.

[gurusan]

A single 8800GTS 512mb is more than enough really. SLI and crossfire these days is just so powerful, it's really more for benching and e-peen status. Unless you have a 30'' monitor or something

[veedubfreak]

Funny story....far cry 2 isnt being made by crytek and also wont be using the cryengine, so crysis was pretty much a 1 off mistake. I still say the graphics arent that great and its just shoddy code.

[Poizen22]

Originally Posted by veedubfreak

Funny story....far cry 2 isnt being made by crytek and also wont be using the cryengine, so crysis was pretty much a 1 off mistake. I still say the graphics arent that great and its just shoddy code.

far cry 2 is being made by ubisoft actually, and yes it isnt running on the cry engine because of teh fact its ubisoft and not cryteck.

[gurusan]

Dunia engine ftw.

[Puddle Jumper]

I think Crysis runs pretty good considering its complexity. I mean the ocean, rain, and fire all react to wind. The plants also react to to wind and other forces and can be destroyed. The AI is the best I have seen.

No other game approaches that level of detail.