should i go with an Intel/Nvidia setup?

of should i go with an ATI/AMD setup?

This is for gaming of course.

I know intel processors are better than AMD processors (as long as both are quad-core and have the same clock frequency)

But, ATI graphics cards are cheaper than NVidia graphics card, and they are very close in performance.

i could get two Radeon HD 4870 cards and have them in crossfire, for not much more than the cost of a single Nvidia GTX 280.

Though, i could find a 9800 GX2 for about $380 with mail-in-rebate which comes pretty close to the Radeon HD 4870 price.

At the moment for me, it seems like Intel with a 9800 GX2.

What do you think i should use in my gaming rig?

bump

Well, I just built a new PC a few weeks ago. I went with AMD/ATI. I got the quad core 2.5Ghx for $260 With mobo and heatsink/fan. I then got an HD 4850.

If you have to spend much more then that on a CPU/Mobo combo, I would start looking at intel.

For price/performance, the ATI is the clear winner however.

which motherboard did you get? does it support crossfire?

No, It came with a cheep free one (a Biostar). I figure when I want crossfire, I will buy a good one. It seems to work however. No issues so far.

In order to use Crossfire, you will need one of the following chipsets:

• AMD 580X CrossFire™ chipset
• AMD 480X CrossFire™ chipset
  
• ATI CrossFire™ Xpress 3200 chipset
• Intel® X38 Express chipset
• Intel® 975X Express chipset
• Intel® P965 Express chipset
• Intel® P35 Express chipset

I would also reccomend an Intel/ATI combo. ATI's drivers over the years have actually gotten just as good as nVidia's (this is from a recent convert, I went from an 8800GTS to an ATI 4850), and Crossfire also supports dual monitors, unlike SLi. Intel also has the performance advantage right now (even over the phenoms), with only a slight bump in price. I think you can get a Q6600 for $200. So, that's what I would say to check into.

i was thinking about an Intel/ATI combo, but i could never find a good motherboard for it