Upgrade advice please

[RallosZek]

System Specifications:

I. Processor/CPU: i7 2600k @4.5ghz


II. Current Graphics Card:2x 2gb 6950s Unlocked to 6970s


III. Display Resolution: 1080p


IV. Power Supply Unit : Antec 850w 80plus bronze

V. Case Specifications(N/A, Model, Length, Low Profile, Cooling, HTPC, Water, Silent): Fractal Design R3


Purchase Details:

I. Budget? Up to $500aud


II. Any particular preferences : Prefer nvidia...

III. Do you plan to have any Multi-GPU solutions such as Crossfire or SLI? Not yet


IV. Have you previously looked at a product(s) which you feel would fit your needs? no


V. What are your needs for this GPU? Bit of BF3, Rift, whatever comes out really.


VI. Do you plan on overclocking the card you intend to purchase? Yes while gaming


Additional Notes

I have 2x 2gb 6950s unlocked to 6970s, id much prefer a single card solution right now. Im leaning towards nvidia. Even if i take a small performance hit. I was thinking some kind of GTX580 . I always run 1080p due to my monitor. id really like something QUIET! my AMD cards i have on 70% fan when overclocked for gaming and its a headache! if i can get something quieter ill learn to love life again.

Im not sure if its worth getting a 580 or getting a 7970 (680s are hard to find in stock and quite pricey atm!), Im looking for a great single card option. This is my first crossfire setup, and its a little bit of a pain imo, maybe im just getting old. But i dont see myself crossfiring in the future, but who knows!

Any advice would be great. im in australia by the way.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I'd suspect a 680 (less power,heat noise) would be best....I'll take one of the 6950's if you want to donate it.

 

[blckgrffn]

7850? Heavily OC'd?

Pretty much anything is going to be a step back from your CF setup (when it is working optimally...) unless you step up to a 7970/GTX 680.

If you have the dough, a 7970 w/non-reference cooler would probably your best bet. That will typically hang with the 680, just use more power whilst doing so.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Ps awesome forum name OP