Need help on Graphics cards!

[Mobeus]

I'm looking to upgrade to a Radeon HD 6970 2GB from newegg.com but I have no idea what to get. I just don't know what brand is best. Can anyone help?

I like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125371
I like the 3 fans but I don't know if 3 are needed.


Also, is a 500watt power supply good for this card?
Might upgrade to this if not:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049

 

[frost889]

Minimum for that card is 550w per the website. It might never draw that much but it will pig off your current system. Don't forget it is total draw for the PSU (everything you have connected).

You can save some dough by taking a performance hit and dropping to a 6950. Same 2gb memory buffer.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102945

 

[a pet rock]

The manufacturer's suggested minimum over-estimates the power draw because a lot of people buy really crappy $15 PSUs that can't support their rated wattages. It's a liability issue. Retailers, on the other hand, want to sell you a more expensive unit than what you need and will inflate the estimate for their own benefit. 500W will be plenty.

The three fans just help cooling. The lower the temps are the slower the fans spin, which equates to less noise. Personally, I would go with one of these:

MSI
Gigabyte
Sapphire

In that order.

 

[reflex99]

The manufacturer's suggested minimum over-estimates the power draw because a lot of people buy really crappy $15 PSUs that can't support their rated wattages. It's a liability issue. Retailers, on the other hand, want to sell you a more expensive unit than what you need and will inflate the estimate for their own benefit. 500W will be plenty.

The three fans just help cooling. The lower the temps are the slower the fans spin, which equates to less noise. Personally, I would go with one of these:

MSI
Gigabyte
Sapphire

In that order.

this pretty much

 

[Mobeus]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going to get the Gigabyte pet rock suggested. Thanks again.