Should I get Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon? What about HIS IceQ X2 Radeon HD?

[Zii]

Please help me determine the difference between these cards.

What are the pros and cons of each? Be detailed and specific because I don't understand everything.
I've been googling all this for a week now and I can't figure anything out. I'm even more confused now.

The HIS IceQ X2, i've seen get better performance, but it's LESS expensive than the other 2 cards. How is that?
What is the downside to it? I'm looking to be doing some extreme gaming and a TON of rendering.

I just need everything cleared up before I go out and buy a $1000 worth of components.

Thanks

 

[refillable]

Nvidia 680 is generally more expensive ($50) a bit faster (5% at most) than an AMD 7970. The IceQX2 7970 has a lower price tag maybe because it is on sale...

 

[Zii]

So the IceQ X2 really is a better graphics card?

 

[refillable]

I hope so... How is the feedback on that card on say... newegg?

 

[Zii]

Mostly good feedback. People had issues with it suddenly dying, so I picked up a 4GB R270x for sub $150 on sale.