PCI-E with SLI vs. AGP

[honeyshot]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer, but I'm not sure which route to take. The problem is I want to upgrade everything but my video card (AGP Power Color Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB), which is still acceptable for today's games.

I would like to get an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 939 pin processor (because it's only $50 more than a 3000+ and $100 cheaper than a 3500+, and I could easily OC it to +2.4GHz from what I've read), but I can't decide whether to get an nForce4 mobo with SLI capabilities and a PCI-E GPU with the intention of buying a second one as a cheaper future upgrade, or just buy a cheaper AGP mobo and wait for my GPU to become obsolete before upgrading to a PCI-E mobo/GPU.

Although I've read that mobo's are strictly either PCI-E or AGP, I've also read about mobo's that try to bridge the gap between AGP and PCI-E with things like XGP or AGR slots, but they are slower than native AGP mobo's and there could be compatibility problems with my current GPU. So, it doesn't appear to be worth the money.

So, here's what it comes down to:

-MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI ($233)
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 939 pin ($235 w/ mobo)
-MSI NX6600GT/TD NVIDIA GeForce PCI-E 128MB ($240)
TOTAL = $708

OR

-ASUS A8V Deluxe ($159)
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 939 pin ($245)
TOTAL = $404

*Note: These prices are in CDN dollars and are the cheapest I could find, gathered from several local computer stores. All other upgrade expenses were neglected as they are constants for both options.

While the $300 price difference may seem large now, considering it as a long-term investment, I avoid inevitably having to upgrade my mobo again to a PCI-E mobo and can extend my GPU's longevity with a minor upgrade of a second GPU when the time comes.

I do have my doubts about investing in the SLI technology while it is still young (even though 3Dfx did this before perishing) and compatibility with games may be an issue. Also, ATI is coming out with AMR (or MVP), its own version of SLI. So, I can hop aboard now, or play the waiting game, but as is the case with all evolving technology, something new will always be around the corner, especially when dealing with several different components within a PC.

So, any advice or insight from you knowledgeable people would be greatly appreciated. Also, if I overlooked anything, made any subpar hardware choices, or spouted misinformation, let me know so we can end this vicious cycle of ignorance here and now.

P.S. Are the onboard sound cards good enough for non-audiophiles such as myself? Also, do my mobo choices support multi-core AMD cpu's? I've read that most do.

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: honeyshot
-ASUS A8V Deluxe ($159)
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 939 pin ($245)
TOTAL = $404

This would be a fine upgrade. I did a build with the A8V for my father-in-law and he's very hapy with it. And the onboard sound is just fine. It's not great, but it works just fine and most people can't tell the difference.

 

[rise]

onboard sound is fine for the most part. at least for me.

i went with the dfi ut sli-dr for about the same $$ but i'm not sure the availability up north. i have just the single card as well. sli is here to stay, nv won't be abandonng it and as you mentioned ati is adopting it. i thought of holding out for ati's solution but i figure nv has already worked through most of the bugs ati hasn't even encountered yet.

that said, the need for it is questionable with the new cards but the specs are kinda up in the air. i figure if g70 isn't the huge leap forward its supposed to be, i can just add a 6800gt later for cheap. if it is that much better (dx10 or whatever) then i can get the single card and add again later. i dunno it seemed a $50 insurance/gamble that i felt worth it. at least i have a damn fine oc'ing board with x2 on the horizon and the options of sli should i ever want it.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'd go with #1, but that's just me. The onboard sound of the MSI board is a Creative Sound Blaster Live. Very good for onboard.