Questions about mining

[Rogue]

Hey everyone...i've built my first rig...its running double 6990's....i know there's a lot of mining programs out there but which would be the best for the 6990's? and also do i need to have the block chain up to date in order to mine?

[RaTTuS]

cgminer
and if you point at a pool then you do not need the block chain.