1x 7970 vs 2x 5870s,,

Pros:
Eliminating XFire Compatibility/Handicap issues with titles that don't support it.
Eliminating One Dual Slot card, and its power draw, and its heat from the system

Cons:
Price?

Paper launch is a go! Cards to hit there shelves on January 9th.



The reviews:

HardOCP

Guru3D

Anandtech

Hardware Heaven

HotHardware

Madshrimps

TechPowerUp!

Overclockers

KitGuru

HardwareCanucks

NeoSeeker

HardwareSecrets

Well, it beats the competition soundly in every department. New Eyefinity modes (in the new 12.2 driver). Supports 3DStereo with Eyefinity. Does powerful GPU compute. Uses relatively little power. Futureproof, as it looks ahead to Windows 8 and DX11.1.

I can see that games are becoming slightly CPU limited at normal resolutions (e.g. Skyrim). Using this card at Very High resolutions seems to get the most out of it. Like Eyefinity 5760x1200 At that level, it seems comparable to my 2x HD5870 CrossFire.

All in all, this card is what I hoped/guessed it would be, performance wise. It seems just worth it at $550 -- versus the original cost of my 2x HD5870 CrossFire cards (two for $410 on sale). It would be a slam-dunk at just over $400. Still, compared to GTX 580, its the better long term value.

Now, we need some viable competition from Nvidia to bring the price down. That's a few months away they say.

sell off the 5870's to offset the cost.... and its a sure fire upgrade.

Well, I will move my "excess" HD5870s down the line to other computers in my extended family. Thereby, bringing happiness to others Anyhow, its a good rationalization -- I'm buying it for the good of my family

I did check retail sites starting at 5am this morning. But, I guess it won't be released until January 9. That's Okay. I have other things to do over the Christmas/New Year holiday period. My wife was hoping it would be delayed to January so she could first pay-off the credit card (she's a mathematician by training and Treasurer by avocation).

So a 7970 for you and a 5870 for xxxx and a 5870 for xxxx2

3 people gain from 1 purchase.

HECK YEAH!? The best way to cut costs is to not have debts with interest on them. (I'll exclude a mortgage) Looks like you're lucky to have married a smart woman. Others will have to make do with an Excel credit card repayment calculator.

[Semi-OT] BTW, it looks like LG has the right monitor for 3D Eyefinity lined up:

DM92, a 27" 3D IPS screen with a 1mm top/side bezel:

LG Newsroom. 27" 1mm bezel on the left



This is an image from their TV (LM8600), but should give you a better impression that that faked "3D" motorcycle PR shot in the news link.:

Displayport?

to be revealed at CES