So I accidently blew up my XFX 6970 whilst trying to change the insanely noisy stock cooler. I think I must have shorted something so that was an expensive mistake I don't want to repeat. I've added custom coolers before but not to such an expensive card.
Anyway moving on through the tears I need a replacement. This time I don't plan on dismantling it so I'm looking for a card that is quiet out of the box. Two cards take my fancy:
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 6970 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-142-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=
and
SAPPHIRE HD 6970 2GB GDDR5 Dual Fan
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1041&pid=1353&psn=&lid=1&leg=0
As they both have 2 fans and a custom cooler I'm hoping that they run cooler and quieter than the standard card.
I've found some positive reviews of the Sapphire but nothing about the PowerColor although I'm tempted to go for it over the Sapphire because of price.
Does anyone have either of these cards or can offer any pluses or negatives about them? I have a budget of about £250-£275 and certainly don't want to go over £300 I'd be happy to consider alternative suggestions.
I'm currently stuffed without a PC at home but I also wonder if I should buy a cheapo card to tide me over as I understand there are new cards on the way soonish. Although maybe I'm not going to get anything substantially better for the money in the near future?
I need to make a decision soon as Im currently without a PC so I haven't the time to wade through loads of reviews so any advice would be much appreciated.
Anyway moving on through the tears I need a replacement. This time I don't plan on dismantling it so I'm looking for a card that is quiet out of the box. Two cards take my fancy:
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD 6970 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-142-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=
and
SAPPHIRE HD 6970 2GB GDDR5 Dual Fan
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1041&pid=1353&psn=&lid=1&leg=0
As they both have 2 fans and a custom cooler I'm hoping that they run cooler and quieter than the standard card.
I've found some positive reviews of the Sapphire but nothing about the PowerColor although I'm tempted to go for it over the Sapphire because of price.
Does anyone have either of these cards or can offer any pluses or negatives about them? I have a budget of about £250-£275 and certainly don't want to go over £300 I'd be happy to consider alternative suggestions.
I'm currently stuffed without a PC at home but I also wonder if I should buy a cheapo card to tide me over as I understand there are new cards on the way soonish. Although maybe I'm not going to get anything substantially better for the money in the near future?
I need to make a decision soon as Im currently without a PC so I haven't the time to wade through loads of reviews so any advice would be much appreciated.
