PC video card question

[Akula4745]

The shop I am getting my new PC from called me back about something I forgot on the order and also asked me a question about the motherboard and video card choice I made. This is what I ordered last night:

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q9550 (4x 2.83GHz/12MB L2 Cache/1333FSB)
Asus Rampage Formula Intel X48 Chipset
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 1Gb
4 Gb [2 Gb X2] DDR2-800 PC6400 Memory
500 Gb primary + 320 Gb secondary HD

But now (if I understood right) it turns out I won't be able to run dual video cards (later on) using the Crossfire technology because it won't work with Nvidia cards without an Nvidia chipset???

Would it be better to go with an ATI Radeon card instead? I sure do wanna make the right choice here... HELP! Matching system components is definitely NOT my specialty... I know just enough to get myself in trouble. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. I have to call them back today and decide...

Thanks in advance.
Jim

[Torplexed]

I'm clueless when it comes to tech. :cry:

However there is a forum on this board devoted specifically to hardware and software questions. You could try duplicating this post there. Can't hurt to have two hooks in the water.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=235

[Akula4745]

Thanks Torp!!!

[AVGWarhawk]

Crossfire is for ATI I believe
SLI is for Nvidia

Personally, I like to keep Nvidia cards with Nvida chip sets. So, you need a mobo that supports either SLI or Crossfire if you want to run dual cards. I would ask the shop to recommend a board. I have an MSI SLI mobo. It runs just one card and I can add if I want to.

I'm going to move this to the computer section. YOu will get more insight.

[mr chris]

I have the processor and the motherboard you posted in the first post.
I currently and running with 1 ATI 4870 X2 2Gb graphics card.
But last week i brought another one (saw it cheap in the sales)
When i arrives im going to crossfire it with my current one.
Though i must add i had to buy a new larger Watt PSU to power them both a Coolmaster 1250 watt beast. Expensive but with a little luck it should mean i wont need to upgrade for a while.

I have had Nivida and ATI cards in the past and not had a drama with any of them.
What ever one you go with you rig will fly.
If you can afford it get two cards and crossfire or SLI them and you should not have to upgrade in that deptment for a very long time.