5850 CF vs. 5970

A 5970 costs the same as 2x5850 and performs the same as 2 of them well. However, it has the ability to overclock to 2x5870s level.

The 5970 is actually amazingly cheap relative to the performance and cost of two 5850s, so if you have the money for two 5850s, get the 5970 instead!

It will run slightly cooler than two 5850s and use slightly less power at stock. The only problem you will have is you need a full tower case since it's ~13.1 inches. (Your average 8800GTX, GTX260, or 4870 is around 10.5 inches)

I have plenty of room...
I have plenty of money...
I have plenty of cooling...

what I do NOT have is a damn place to buy the 5970! I cannot find it... ANYWHERE and it is making me      

Unless you are planning to crossfire a 5970 then there is not much incentive to skip dual 5850s. And yes, 5850s can overclock to 5870 levels too... That is why 2x5870s =/= an overclocked 5970. You show me a 5970 @ 1GHz+ core clock and then we will talk.

Well my plan was to add another in a year or two when I can not longer play all the games on full settings.

AHH! decisions! If i could find a damn 5970, i would buy it... but alas, I have no luck

also, how much wattage do I need for two 5850s?

Safe 800W

Hd5850's run about 163Watts of power. Two of them will not use anymore than 350Watts. Factor in 120W for an OC'd processor (to keep up with teh speed of the graphics), peripherals for for another 50Watts. You'll end up with about 500Watts required, but I'd go with 600W or an extremely good 550W.

For two 5850s, a quality 600watt should be good. Or a no-name 750+watt PSU.