Dilemma on GPU choice

[kaiweiler]

Hey, my 256mb 3850 is not cutting it.
It works great using a single monitor at 1440x900, but is not quite up to the task of 2x19" widescreen LCDs with a total resolution of 2880x900. I am getting discoloration on the second monitor that is not there when used by itself.
So I think I need to upgrade GPU!
My best options (I think) are as follows:

Getting an 8800GT 512mb
Getting another 3850 256mb and using 16x/4x crossfire
(I know 16x/4x does hinder performance, but not sure how much)

What is my best option? with the crossfire 3850's, both would still be 256mb and as far as I know this does not accumulate to a 512mb memory...
The 8800GT would cost me about $50 more then another 3850, but I'm guessing it would perform better?

I will be gaming a fair amount, playing CSS, COD4, GOW, etc typically at 1440x900 resolution while having other programs open on the other 1440x900...

I know crossfire is better for higher resolutions....but the 16x/4x...
Ugh I just don't know
Tell me what to do! :beer:

[Dapman02]

I think your big problem is hte 256 mb of Ram you have. If you still can, exchange the card and get the 512mb version

[White_Pawn]

3870x2 ???

[Shiggity]

I haven't seen that many benchmarks for 16x/4x mobos, but on 16x/16x the 2x 3850 256MB is better than an 8800GT by a decent amount (better than 8800GTX performance).

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/diamond_viper_hd3850_crossfire/12.htm

That article is about 2x 3850 256MB's in a 16x/16x xfire setup.

Edit - Found an article on extremesystems about this test. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=167695

Apparently those cards in crossfire don't seem to be limited by the second slower PCI-E slot.

[kaiweiler]

3870x2 ???

Care to send me the extra $300?

And thanks for the info Shiggity, That review does say that the 256mb is noticed and high resolutions.
If I CF a 512mb in the 16x and a 256mb in the 4x, would the 512mb run at 256mb?