DS2 with SLI

Not sure, but I'll wager sjr does though.
Might have to update the system_detail.gas files.

You might want to check the GPGarage's tech help sections... I know some have expressed difficulties with newer video cards and DS2 / BW.

I do not know for sure on sli for DS2 as I have not tried it and do not know anyone that has tried it, though I can say crossfire should work as I know someone that has done that.

Do you already have a 8600 card? If not I would recommend against going with 2 8600 cards and get one 8800gt instead. I run my main system with a 8800ultra and it can clobber the heck out of DS1 with frame rates over 250 at max settings running at 1980x1200. For a less costly card you can go with the new nvidia or ati cards as they both (at least on the top end) will run over ds with no problems. In my new htpc I am running Vista with a ati 3870 and it runs at max settings with a 1920x1080 resolution and produces around a 200 frame rate. If you are running at a lower resolution than either of those (and I am thinking you would be) you will be able to run it at any setting you want with a great frame rate.

I have no idea on the conversion rate for the Krona or the Euro but a 8600gts 256mb runs in the $125-$150us range. While a 8800gt runs around $250, as does the 3870 (both are 512mb). Either of those cards alone will outperform the 8600gts in sli. This does not have a sli or crossfire selection option but the scores for a 8600gts will not double in sli, at best you are going to get between a 60-75% jump (and that is not uniform across all games/benchmarks as some may not be as good and some may top it though less would be on the top end of performance jumps). 8800gt vs 8600gts

For the money the 8800gt or the 3870 are very good performance.

Thanks for the help guys. I don't understand what the purpose of SLI is if you can for less money get one card that outperforms two cards working together. Well ok I guess if you are using one of the best videocards available then SLI would fill a purposeful role. That's the only thing I can think of though.

If that is the case then I can get a motherboard without SLI support and save some money on that component. The 8800 GT is sounding better and better, but they cost around 340 US$ when equipped with 512 mb and 275 US$ with 256 mb here. The Asus only costs around 200 US$.

I should mention that my original intention was to get a motherboard that supported SLI, get one videocard now and one later when I had more money. I'm glad I didn't invest my money like that. So either I'll pay the extra money and get an 8800GT or just get an 8600GTS and replace it later this year with an 9800GT card. I'm getting an entire new system so it might be a good idea to focus on the other components since I won't have much time to play games anyway. I'll give it a ponder.

Two cards in SLI may be worse than a single card if the motherboard can't run them both at max data rate, so you can't just compare video card(s) in isolation. Two cards also mean two heat sources, which may be harder to acommodate if they vent into the case.

To complicate things, I think there's an 8800GTX card with SLI, so you can add another if you go that way!

Just don't stop and think, because there's always another just about to be released with even more of something you'll want.

I've given up the idea of building a system with the intent of upgrading it later. The new components always need something else that's missing from the existing system, or use an incompatible interface, and you end up replacing almost everything anyway. I was going to get a new monitor, but that would need a new video card, which wouldn't work with my motherboard, and a new mobo would need a new power supply and a new case, and..... I'll wait a little longer and get a complete new machine.

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This might be a stupid question, but you can fit an mATX motherboard in an ATX chassi right?

There will be new Nvidia cards out in February; however, they are not next gen cards, they are 2 8800gts cards on one board (basically sli without using 2 pci express slots meaning you can have quad sli if you get a second card on a sli motherboard). It is looking like the next gen cards from nvidia are not going to show up until late spring at the earliest and next gen ati cards are likely to be even later. There is also a 3870 x2 card that came out today which is the same thing, it is 2 gpu's on one card.

In regards to sli or crossfire unless you are getting the top end cards (and don't mind spending upwards of $1000+ on just video cards) it is not worth it at all as you can get a higher end card that will be faster and cost about the same as 2 of the other cards. I am a regular on a hardware forum or 2 and while there is little general consensus on many issues 2 of them are don't do sli/crossfire on low end cards and make sure to get a quality psu. With sli/crossfire if you are going with the buy another card later plan there are 2 major things against it. 1 the card may no longer be available in 6 months or whatever time period you are under. The 2nd is that if you are waiting that long the next gen of video cards is likely to be out and now for the same price as that first card you can buy the next gen's card at that same price that will way outperform the card you already have plus they would not work together in sli/crossfire, the new gen card and the old card. So imo the best plan is to get the best card you can (or are willing to) pay for now and if you are looking to pay in the same range 6-12 months later get the newer card.

Also in regards to building a computer system I am now going with a once a year rebuild plan. While this leaves me with lots of good extra parts laying around I like to keep up with a decent machine. Granted what I call decent/adequate the next guy may think it is a super high end setup but I like to keep up with the good stuff. Though as hobbies go it is a huge black hole of a money pit, modding on ds was a much less costly hobby.

As far as a atx case fitting a micro atx motherboard probably but I would look at the specs of the motherboard first.

Thanks sjr.

No SLI or crossfire then. I'll simply get a fairly good videocard and replace it later when I need to.
I think my PSU is still good enough so I'll keep the one I have. I think it is 500W so should be enough for what I have in mind.

About mATX -> ATX. I'll stay on the safe side then just to be sure.