Multi-GPU question

Alright, so, I have an PNY 8800GT XLR8 from about 2 years ago in my machine at the moment. At first, I was thinking of getting a second and throwing it in for 4 monitors, but, they discontinued it. So, I've been thinking to get another card, and probably more powerful then what I have at the moment.

So, two questions:
1) If I do get a different card, it will be a more powerful one then what I have in there now. If I don't SLI these together, will there be problems with using 4 monitors? I have two hooked up at the moment, here's what the resolutions would be (If it matters)

•1680x1050(19")
•1050x1680(19")
•1440x900 or 900x1440 (19")
•1042x768(17")

2) What's a good card for around the 100-150USD mark, with a nVidia chipset? I'd prefer to buy off of Newegg, but I'm not closed to other sites.

Also, this is my current GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=PNY%208800gt
and I'm currently dual booting Ubuntu and WinXP.

Thanks much.

you will need another 8800 GT like the one you have already if you wish to have an SLI configuration. IN any case the only readily available video cards that support more than 2 monitors are the new ATI Radeon 5800 series, which has EyeFinity and can support up to 6 MOnitors at one time. The cheapest of them is most likely going to cost over $200 and is not compatible with your current card either....

Well, that's why I'm not planning to put it in SLI. If you don't, you can attach monitors to both cards and use them (Albeit with some limitations). I've done setups similar to this before, but always using two of exactly the same card, so I'm unsure of how this will work with two different cards.

if the second card doesn't/won't SLI, it should default to a dedicated phys-x card, if enabled.

/edit
running 2 of these myself. there was a mail-in rebate, looks like it's over though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-339-_-Product

/edit2
I've pushed these cards pretty good. (they are equivalent to the 250, can supposedly flash them with the 250 BIOS, if you don't mind throwing that lifetime warranty out the window.)
core - 800
shader - 1940
mem - 1230
can prolly push more, but I'm happy with those clocks, and no artifacts in Furmark. used evga precision, fans @ 75%

You can run dual monitors with SLi... you just set a primary display as your SLi focus display, and the other is rendered without SLi. Works perfectly.

Also, sup? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133266

Beats the 9800GTX+ hands down, and has 1GB vRAM for higher resolutions/dual monitors. Very good card for the price.

yeah, missed out on that deal. they sold out rather quick at that (sale) price. seems like there are more in stock as of this post.
I can't vouch for PNY gfx cards. never pwned one. Had tons of their flash drives though, with very minimal failure.

I have 3 9800gtx+ on my hands. 2 of them are the 1 six pin power connector variety and one is the older version with the 2 six pin connectors.

-damn. lol, after a bit of digging, I also have a BFG 8800gts o.c.'d edition along with an evga 8800gts 320mb collecting dust.

^^^^ EBAY is your friend you know - or you can drop one of in my mail box come XMAS time. lol

oh, don't worry. I'm about to cannibalize the cards after I check out the warranty info. if they aren't lifetime warranties (can't remember if i registered them, gotta check site) it's playtime.
and, you never know what santa might bring ;-p

/edit
I shun ebay.