My condolences on your loss.
To say something in MSI's favor, it is a new card so stock supplies are probably low. A very quick search on Newegg seems to indicate they didn't have any stock either and the refund that was offered you was comparable for that card.
I understand your frustration...
Your question is slightly unclear to me. If you are asking if the motherboard will support a video which physically covers two slots, the answer is yes.
If you are asking if the motherboard will use two different video cards at the same time (SLI), then I think it will do that too, but if...
Yeah...just ask all the AMD fans who are getting shafted waiting Bulldozer. Intel might push Ivy Bridge back even further for whatever reason and you would be stuck waiting or worse, buying the same setup you could have had now (I don't think they will, but you never know).
If possible, see which vendor is supplying the chips for the memory. I know it is a different component, but I have heard good things about the Microcenter SSD, which is made by Adata I think and has a Sandforce controller. Just because it is MC branded doesn't mean it isn't good.
Edit: Better...
The best answer I think is that all-in-ones (where the computer is essentially built into the monitor) are not good gaming computers. It is true that if you were to get an MXM module, you might get a moderate increase in your gaming performance. In the end, I don't think it would be worth it...
From HardForum's own thread on unlocking AMD processors:
5. Do not use the stock heatsink. Do not use the stock heatsink. Do not use the stock heatsink. Do not use the stock heatsink.
Yes, we know there are exceptions, but a good cooler is a sound investment. The stock HSF that comes with the...
Probably not...the all-in-one make that difficult, but it might not be impossible. You would need to get an MXM module which is a type of mobile graphics card. Your motherboard does have an expansion slot free for one, but they might be really hard to find.
Product specs on the TouchSmart...