Help me pick my last component - GPU

Ok, I have either bought or made a firm decision on everything else in this build. It is going to be based around a i5 2500k and ASROCK Extreme4 Gen3 motherboard. Last thing I have to decide on is GPU. Here are the ones I am looking at:

MSI Twin Frozr GTX 570

MSI Lightening 6970

ASUS DCII 6970

I hear that the Twin Frozr fans on the MSI cards are better than the coolers on the ASUS cards. Also MSI tends to have better tech support. So I am leaning towards MSI. Given that both the 6970 and the GTX570 are roughly the same price, which one will I likely get better performance out of at 1920x1200? Also, which one would have better overclocking headroom? This will be a single card only rig for the foreseeable future.

Thoughts, opinions?

I like the 6970 better. I think you could get away with a 6950? and flash the BIOS on it to make it a 6970 if u wanted to save a few dollars. I always hear good things bout nvidia cards though but personally i would ride with the 6970. Better core clock and memory. Not sure bout the OC thing as i have never oc'd a cpu or gpu. Just my 2 cents

Can't flash the newer cards from what I understand it is a hardware disable now instead of BIOS. Also I want the additional cooling of the aftermarket PCB. I am almost certainly now deciding between the Lightning and Twin Frozr, they both have the same coolers, its just which will I get better performance out of.

How are AMD's drivers at present? I haven't had a Radeon card in about 6 or 7 years.

I like Nividia better because AMD have a crappy time with driver issues sometimes. Look recently to RAGE. Anyway the 570 or 6970 are both great choices

If I were you I would try to pick up the Sapphire Toxic HD 6950 and BIOS flash it a HD 6970 with a mere switch of a button. Not only that you will get Deus EX and Dirt 3 for free! Talk about best bang for the buck.

6970 then. Thanks bout letting me know you cant flash em anymore. I hope to be building a new RIG soon :)

6970 then. Thanks bout letting me know you cant flash em anymore. I hope to be building a new RIG soon :)

Myzz617

Yeah AMD copped on and you can't do it on newer versions. 6970 is a great choice. Good luck with your build

[QUOTE="Myzz617"]

6970 then. Thanks bout letting me know you cant flash em anymore. I hope to be building a new RIG soon :)

seanmcloughlin

Yeah AMD copped on and you can't do it on newer versions. 6970 is a great choice. Good luck with your build

Good luck with the Nvidia card. I built my first rig with nvidia mobo and cards and its still kicking. :)