what card should i replace my HD5970 with

izyman69

I Purchased a Radeon HD5970 over black friday. Got it for $300, normally $500, at that time. It was a Diamond Multimedia card. I have had some problems with it recognizing HD3D. Amd said that it is an oem card, but they cant tell me Who actually makes the card, for firmware updates etc. NewEgg is being nice and going to give me store credit for the card. So With a $300 budget what card would you guys get, keeping in mind I'd like to stick with AMD HD3D as i have a Samsung 750 monitor. The HD5970 Seemed to pack some serious punch with the built in crossfire. Should i try and get a 6000 series card, or are there some gems in the 5000 series to look at. Also What is the best Brand of card with the best suport? EVGA? MSI? Hoping for trouble free 3d this time around.

Thanks
-Isaac

Agent-A01 · 01-05-2012, 04:08 | posts: 5,705 | Location: USA

Xfx is good for amd. 300 is a low budget for you. Anyway you can spend some more money? 2x 6870s would be about the same performance

izyman69 · 01-05-2012, 04:24 | posts: 32 | Location: Rochester

Yeah, i guess i could go $350.

izyman69 · 01-05-2012, 04:26 | posts: 32 | Location: Rochester

I will have to go with a single card for now, as i have only 1 pci e slot.

Agent-A01 · 01-05-2012, 04:36 | posts: 5,705 | Location: USA

The 6970 is about the best you can get
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102957
329$ with rebate

or this if you want a better overall card, cooler, less noise, OCs better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127581
369$ with rebate

or this stock cooler, the cheapest
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150517
319$ with rebate

izyman69 · 01-05-2012, 04:50 | posts: 32 | Location: Rochester

As i have been looking at cards i would agree with you. This table is interesting
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ce,3085-7.html

Really only card better is the hd6990 @ a whopping $740.

I like the SAPPHIRE card, as a middle ground. Is that a good brand?

Agent-A01 · 01-05-2012, 04:56 | posts: 5,705 | Location: USA

Sapphire is above average, its good but not as good as XFX. XFX has a lifetime warranty while the sapphire has either a 2 or 3 year warranty. If you dont like that you could get the stock XFX cooler and buy an aftermarket cooler. The stock coolers are noisy and get kinda hot.

so xfx card is 320$ plus the cost of this cooler http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14...pe_Cooler.html

price is 395$. this is the best air cooler you can get.. this would destroy the stock cooler by 30c and its silent. should be much better than the sapphire card too.. this is the route i would go. lifetime warranty, cooler card and the quietest.

izyman69 · 01-05-2012, 05:42 | posts: 32 | Location: Rochester

Interesting...Its funny you put up the frozencpu link as they are a local company for me here in rochester, so i can swing over anytime and pick up the cooler. It sounds like xfx is the best brand then. I think ill end up going with the xfx with the stock cooler and see how the temp/noise is. I can always get the cooler later. Ive got a nice coolermaster case so it might not be a big issue.

Agent-A01 · 01-05-2012, 05:50 | posts: 5,705 | Location: USA

Coincidence i guess

.Sounds like a plan, the heat isnt a big deal as the noise is.

izyman69 · 01-06-2012, 00:23 | posts: 32 | Location: Rochester

yeah, just sucks im paying more for less performance