CrossFire for multimedia PC (with dual monitors)?

[nevaspb]

Looking to buy a video card (or two) for a new multimedia PC.
I intend on using it for general use and multimedia. It will be connected to a 24" widescreen LCD monitor via DVI and a projector via VGA. The connectors are given by default since i already have a long VGA cable for the projector hook-up installed.

I would like to be able to smoothly play a DVD or OTA HDTV from my ATI HDTV tuner card on the projector while browsing the web, doing emails, watching clips on youtube, reading PDF, etc on the LCD monitor.

I am putting a Intel quad processor in. As far as video card, I am thinking of buying a ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT.

Now, the question is...for very smooth performance of the system as described above, should I buy 2 of them or just one would suffice? If two, then should I connect it via crossfire (motherboard supports it) or just set them up independently.

Lastly, the reason why I am going with HD2600 is b/c (1) it is affordable, (2) seems to be better for video (esp for BlueRay/HDDVD if and when I get it) than an equivalent NVidia card; and (3) my HDTV tuner card is also by ATI.

I have read a ton of reviews but unfortunately all of them look at SLI/CrossFire functionality strictly from a gamers' perspective. And I NEVER PLAY(or intend to) ANY GAMES.

Any thoughts/advice are appreciated.

 

[nevaspb]

Oh, the LCD will run at 1920x1200 resolution, while the projector will be at 1280x720 (720p).
So, it is very important for me to be able to set up resolutions for the two video signal outputs independently, which I was not able to do before with my one old AGP card.

THanks

 

[Fenixgoon]

well, both the nvidia 8000 and amd 2000 series (minus the 2900xt, afaik) feature HD video decoders on their hardware, so CPU utilization during playback shouldn't be an issue. for playing HD content off of your HDTV wonder - in my experience (i own one), part of the smoothness comes from signal strength, and the other from cpu usage. i'm sure your quad core will be fine, but i've only done HDTV on a single core CPU (no hd reception where i am right now ) and it will get choppy if you multitask. again, that was a single core CPU, and not a powerful one at that, so YMMV, but i suspect you should be fine.

 

[nevaspb]

thanks for the feedback. what i am having difficulty with is deciding whether I should get 1 or two of the cards. and if two, should i connect them in crossfire or independently. i am not even sure if crossfire would support a dual monitor set up. i want to do it in a way that provides me with the best hdtv watching experience (i.e. avoid a choppy picture). any thoughts?