What is the difference between these 2 XFX Radeon 6870s?

[flyguy5187]

Besides the model names and the fact that 1 has a dual fan while the other is single, is there anything else that puts one over the other?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521&Tpk=N82E16814150521

AND

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

I can get the double D version for $150 after rebates and everything -- is that a good deal? I am looking to get 2 to set up Xfire. How does this card compare to the new PCIe 3.0 7000 series and/or to the Nvidia 560/570s? any input would be helpful, thanks!!

 

[M1GU31]

Only differnce is one has two fans that's about it,other then that the same specs from what i see in the description of the card. I own the single fan 6870 from xfx works fine. I say the two single fan 6870's would be the best bang for the buck on a sli configuration.

 

[profdlp]

Look in the "Details" area and compare the physical dimensions - the one with two fans is nearly 2" longer. If you have plenty of room in your case it doesn't matter, but if you don't...

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Another thing to consider the single fan version vents mostly outside the case....Meanwhile the rear fan on the double just pumps heat back into the case

 

[flyguy5187]

@ ivan - so are you suggesting that the single fan will probably be better at keeping temps cooler and quieter? I do have a good amt of fans in the case already so i dont think airflow would be too big a problem

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

You will have to judge if you have enough flow in order to make that decision....But the only place the rear fan can vent is inside the case.....So it is something to consider if you have poor air flow,but if you have great flow it could be better in cooling and noise

 

[flyguy5187]

sounds great, thx! now what kinda Nvidia card is this comparable to? and also Ive read somewhere that PCIe 3.0 creates a bottleneck somewhere, although 2x as fast so is it worth upgrading to a card with PCIe 3.0?

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

GTX 560 Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart : Best Graphics Cards For The Money: March 2012 I don't think even the 2.0 standard running at 16x is fully saturated, more reading here if interested PCI Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bottom line it transfers a lot of data...Now if you must have a 3.0 card only the 7xxx's AMD's have that...SO far......
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics / Video Cards, PCI Express 3.0 x16

Now between the card and motherboard the bus will run at the lowest standard. Example your motherboard is 3.0 the 6870 is a 2.1 card so it will run at the 2.1 speeds....The standard is backwards compatible with the exception of a few 2.1 motherboards.....However in your case you have 3.0 board so a 2.1 card would not be bottlenecked in any way
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express