Hello,
Is SLI worth it? If it is within your budget, YES! If it is not within your budget, then at least pick up a motherboard with those capabilities. However, on the flip side of that, prices drop so rapidly on technology hardware, waiting 6 months so it fits within your budget certainly is a wise move.
Now, do you need SLI? Both AMD and Intel both understand that creating faster CPUs is NOT the way of the future. Intel has actually scrapped P4 and above projects (at least for the time being). Both are focusing on dual-core technology (basically two CPUs in one) because it utilizes two processors working together and therefore faster processing speeds.
That said, there are very few applications on the market today that are programmed to utilize more than one CPU in a HYPERTHREADING environment. So the software manufacturers need to step up to the plate now.
So you may be asking why all the above information? It is simple, whether people realilze it or not, SLI or something similar will be the next step in the video processing sector. It isn't going away. For watching video through your PC, it doesn't require alot of processing power. For editing video, that requires alot of processing power.
I would error on the side of "More Power" and future options. I stronly believe in future proofing at least 3-5 years. With a SLI motherboard, you could buy any video card you want now and then when you need the extra power of a SLI setup, go buy two cards at that time. The prices will be alot cheaper and you will feel like you have a new machine.
Hope this helps.
Take Care,
Shawn Mosqueda
WireSmart LLC
To contact me click on the profile link below.