6990 or 5970

[blumpkinpie76]

Let's say that you had your choice between either a 6990 or a 5970, both brand new in the box, same price. Which one would you choose and why? Mining considerations only, no gaming.

[mike678]

They are basically the same 5970 is slightly better on electricity. I'm not sure what the upper limit is for each card now a days but I'm sure they are fairly equal.

I'd also like to point out that a 5970 has less of a demand then a 6990 because games want the latest card as well so you'll most likely find a 5970 for cheaper.

[cicada]

With all else equal, 6990.

1) resale value if you ever want to dump it.
2) higher hashrate on the 6990, a quick look at the hardware comparison shows ~100MH in favor of the 6990
    ~600 (5970) vs ~700 (6990) at stock clocks

I haven't looked at power consumption numbers to say if that makes enough of a difference to make up for 100MH, but it'd have to be significant.

[release]

With all else equal, 6990.

1) resale value if you ever want to dump it.
2) higher hashrate on the 6990, a quick look at the hardware comparison shows ~100MH in favor of the 6990
    ~600 (5970) vs ~700 (6990) at stock clocks

I haven't looked at power consumption numbers to say if that makes enough of a difference to make up for 100MH, but it'd have to be significant.

5970 is clocked at 5850 clocks (about 100mhz less than 5870) intentionally to save energy to fit 300W TDP.

[mike678]

With all else equal, 6990.

1) resale value if you ever want to dump it.
2) higher hashrate on the 6990, a quick look at the hardware comparison shows ~100MH in favor of the 6990
    ~600 (5970) vs ~700 (6990) at stock clocks

I haven't looked at power consumption numbers to say if that makes enough of a difference to make up for 100MH, but it'd have to be significant.

They also are pretty even at top overclock on that site. Honestly these cards aren't too great unless you get them for around 500(which you won't) so in order to even get close to a good megahash per dollar value you have to overclock.