Please help me choose a video Card for my Dad's System

[Caveman]

Been out the lingo since my last system build 6 months ago...

Building a fast rig for my Dad, and need to know some quick facts about SLI and Crossfire. My Dad upgrades about once every 5-6 years (really), and I want to make his rig as future proof as possible.

To that end, I'm thinking about a PCIE MoBo that supports multiple vid cards (so he can add one at a later date). Dumb question time:

1) Does SLI still require that both cards be purchased at the same time (same lot run/firmware/etc)???

2) Does Crossfire require that both cards be purchased at the same time or can one be purchased now and a similar card be purchased later?

3) Will Crossfire work on a NForce4 MoB like the DFI Lanparty?

Tiger Direct has a "Connect 3D" ATI 850XT PE on sale for $350. I was thinking of buying one now and another in about 2 years and trying "Crossfire"...

 

[Ramsez]

1) No, any cards of the same model/brand (Say BFG 7800GTX, or eVGA 6800GT or whatever) will work together.

2) The way crossfire WILL work, is that you need a X800 card (or future R520), a crossfire card, and a mobo that works with crossfire.

3) See 2).

 

[hans030390]

Just get a 7800gtx SLI rig for him. That should be future proof for a while

If not, get a 6800gt or ultra SLI rig...that should do ok (though a 7800gtx on its own would be better...)

 

[Pete]

I wouldn't get any current ATI card expecting it to last 5-6 years, as they're still just SM2. But I'd also recommend against SLI, as while it's great for some games, it'll just draw more power and create more heat and possibly noise the rest of the time your Dad uses his PC. I say get a BFG 7800 GTX when it's on sale for under $500 at Dell, and just plan on upgrading in two or three years when Windows Vista comes out (and with it a new DirectX and new GPU architectures).

But if you want speed to last you 5-6 years, GTX SLI is your best and really only choice. Dunno how useful it'll be in five years, though.

 

[lordsaytor]

Originally posted by: Ramsez
1) No, any cards of the same model/brand (Say BFG 7800GTX, or eVGA 6800GT or whatever) will work together.

2) The way crossfire WILL work, is that you need a X800 card (or future R520), a crossfire card, and a mobo that works with crossfire.

3) See 2).

Are you saying that I could get a 7800GTX to work with a 6800GT in SLI mode? Don't I need to buy two of the same cards?

 

[NokiaDude]

One 7800GTX now and another 7800GTX later down the road. The 7800GTX is more powerful that TWO 6800 Ultra's in most games.

 

[OsSaloris]

wow dude ur dad is the best my dad wont even touch a pc game or video game.