Help me decide Radeon 6870 or GTX 470?

[metalstrike]

I'm building a new PC soon and pretty much all of the components are set except for the video card so I thought this topic might add some perspective. Help me decide! I'm going bonkers trying to decide on my own

 

[iam2thecrowe]

gtx470 - pro's - is faster overall and has physx support (if you play the few games that use this)
cons - will need bigger PSU and it produces more heat and uses more power

hd 6870 - pro's: can run 3 monitors, less power useage, dont need as powerful psu, creates less heat, you can run 2 in crossfire without the need for a psu greater than 600w
cons - slightly slower.

 

[Tamz_msc]

Go for the GTX 470 SOC form Gigabyte.It uses less power compared to the reference 470, comes overclocked, runs at lower temperatures and matches the HD 5870 in performance.

 

[dalta centauri]

gtx470 - pro's - is faster overall and has physx/CUDA support (if you play the few games that use this)
- will be fine with a decent 500-600w you should have for a higher end build.
hd 6870 - pro's: can run 3 monitors, less power useage, doesn't need a powerful psu, creates less heat, you can run 2 in crossfire without the need for a psu greater than 600w
cons - slightly slower.

Also, is the op going for an Intel or AMD build?
What is the psu, hopefully a 500w or better?
What is the cpu, a dual/quad/hex?
Are you using the card just for gaming?
Would you like to expand to a second card later on, or use 3+ monitors?

 

[metalstrike]

dalta centauri wrote :Also, is the op going for an Intel or AMD build?
What is the psu, hopefully a 500w or better?
What is the cpu, a dual/quad/hex?
Are you using the card just for gaming?
Would you like to expand to a second card later on, or use 3+ monitors?

Sorry, I should have specified.

Intel
Corsair 850W
Intel Core i7-950
Pretty much for gaming on a dell U2410 1920 X 1200 monitor
Sure, Crossfire or SLI isn't out of the question. Have no interest in multi monitors.

Also, Tamz that Gigabyte 470 sounds pretty sweet and the way to go if I choose the 470.

Thanks for the input so far everyone!

 

[deweycd]

I like the ATI 6870 for power savings but the 470 for cuda and physx

 

[dalta centauri]

Go with the 470, 6870 is lower watt, and a few degrees lower, but the 470 is better for your single monitor need.

 

[17seconds]

Newegg has the reference Gigabyte GTX470 for $230 and it comes with a free Mafia 2 game. The Superoverclock version is $309 with Mafia 2. You might also consider the MSI Twin Frozr II at $280 also with Mafia 2. Apparently, PhysX is an imperative for that game.

 

[samwelaye]

newegg has 10% off all graphics cards right now with code EMCZZYR24 so the gigabyte SOC is only 280 bucks which is a GREAT deal with the factory overclock. i think you might have to be a newegg newsletter member to use that code though

 

[ionut19]

Go for the GTX 470 SOC form Gigabyte.It uses less power compared to the reference 470, comes overclocked, runs at lower temperatures and matches the HD 5870 in performance.

Best answer .