[Drumbum667]

I was wondering if you needed two video cards to use either of those. Or if as long as you have a crossfire or SLI compatible mobo you can just enable it with one crossfire or SLI card. If not, do i have to buy the crossfire or sli edition and the regular one

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SLI and Crossfire require 2 cards to give you any benefit. If you have only one card installed there is nothing to enable.

In order for Crossfire or SLI to work you should have a 2 video cards of the same model. SLI capable video cards will say so in their specifications, same with ATI, so just research before you choose one. If you plan to SLI or Crossfire your life in the future, make sure your first card is capable so when you add that 2nd card later you can do so.

Often your motherboard manual will contain what you need to know for you to enable Crossfire or SLI when you are ready.

[Serrik]

SLI and Crossfire require 2 cards to give you any benefit. If you have only one card installed there is nothing to enable.

In order for Crossfire or SLI to work you should have a 2 video cards of the same model. SLI capable video cards will say so in their specifications, same with ATI, so just research before you choose one. If you plan to SLI or Crossfire your life in the future, make sure your first card is capable so when you add that 2nd card later you can do so.

Often your motherboard manual will contain what you need to know for you to enable Crossfire or SLI when you are ready.

[kidnova]

Also, most SLI and Crossfire configs require stronger PSUs with multiple connectors. Make sure your PSU is rated for SLI.

[Drumbum667]

I don't plan on buying two video cards, so would buying the crossfire edition be better, so then later I can buy the regular edition and enable crossfire, and get the benefit of it.

[warriorscot]

All new ATI cards are going to be crossfire enabled they are doing away with the whole "master card" thing, for example the x1950s dont need a master card they just work.

[Drumbum667]

Well thanks for pointing that out. So i just buy one Crossfire card, and I can enable crossfire with just that. Yah.

[kidnova]

No, you still need 2 cards in order to enable crossfire mode, Scot is just saying that ATI used to have specific Crossfire Mastercards that were required in order to run two cards in crossfire mode. However, ATIs newer cards are ALL crossfire compatible so you no longer need to buy a specific Crossfire card. However, it will depend on what type of card you get. So, when you choose a card, if you're not sure whether it is crossfire compatible or not, post it here and we'll help you out.

[warriorscot]

You are clear that it requires two cards, that what crossfire and SLI is dual cards the system that distributes and interprets data from two graphics cards. It doesnt mean anything with only one card.