Uh-oh.. someone's got an explanation to do... Looks like AMD is downgrading the IQ for better performance..
Testing NVIDIA vs AMD Image Quality
Source: AMD Radeon HD6870 test

I am using a Corsair 550W CPU with 5970, 4 hours straight blackops is no problem at all.

hello guys, another news of cayman
http://translate.google.de/translate?js=n&...P9001618J1.html
for hd6970 seems like typically 50% increase of performance over hd6870, assuming that gtx580 are 39% higher performance than hd6870, this card may be faster, but priced at same price of 3999yuan with gtx580, and 6950 was priced 2999yuan in china. There also rumour that hd6970 may also faster than hd5970,Stay tuned

p.s -from the image, its seems like hd6900 dont support 3/4 way crossfire, maybe because of dual-engine that was used for cayman(which may similar to crossfire scalling as well) 

Wow! That's cool!

By the way, just test the CCC 10.11 WHQL for my Radeon HD5870.
It fixes the stupid "high clock when CCC Overdrive enabled" bug.

It's fine
eathen my Sapphire HD5770 is at 45 while 40%

5870 once the high-end tier gpu..
6870 is not 5870 replacement.. though the performance almost on par..
6870 for new mid-range.. which replace 5770..
wait 68xx for new high-end

vary price could be they been fitted with OC features.. better HSF etc..

for future better take the latest.. i'm using 6850 also enough edy..

What? There's Radeon HD6990.
IMO, I think Radeon HD6970 should be slightly weaker than GeForce GTX580 only. While, a lot cheaper than it? 

The drivers from AMD's website will do fine.
The HD6870's performance isn't too far from a HD5870's performance, plus it's RM300+ cheaper, so I don't see why would you want to go with the HD5870.

still..new archi shuld be more performance..

Latest NFS Hot Pursuit isn't as resource hunger as NFS Shift, even my 9600GT able to do High settings without AA smooth at 1080p. I think the NFS rely more on CPU of which a normal C2D can do just fine.
And COD4, I can only goes mid settings, which is already quite good consider a low-end 9600GT

Fast fast Diablo 3 out then I might grab HD6950, LOL @ my friend's RM1399 HD5870 bought in October.

frame rate not sure, but smooth, then suddenly lagging then smooth again, this should either game or driver issue i think.
Dual core for sure for many games lagging now, i use Quad core also same when COD Black OPS, i saw in COD forum ppl confirmed is game issue, maybe this have to wait for next patch.
i think so, i saw some website previews said 6970 faster then gtx580 but some said not... make me blur blur too, maybe is because the driver not yet fully optimize the new card. new card always have issue with driver.

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Added on December 15, 2010, 9:34 pm

now many game require Quad core processor.

based on reviews, what i can say is HD 6970 is definitely not worth the upgrade from HD 5870 IMO