At least a week away from doing anything atm, but i'll keep that offer in mind, heard the 5870's get real loud when things on screen get beefy though.

I can't say i ever noticed when it was running stable but i do have a fractal r2 case which are silent.
Also I'll be in denmark next week so I won't be easy to get hold of.

ram needs to be triple channel with i7 processors, 3 sticks rather than 2

a decent 6gb (3 x 2gb) kit is what you need

as for onboard sound, i've been using it ever since i got this pc, no problems ever.

The motherboard that fr3ddi3 listed on the previous page (P67A-UD3) is socket 1155 and requires a Dual Channel kit as he has selected.

i7's are available in Socket 1155, 1156 and 1366

aah, so it is.

i really shouldn't attempt to help after a few beers

Never had a problem with the 5870. DX11 compatible, and has the first iteration of that eyefinity technology if you're looking to run multiple monitors. Even when the fan does run up to speed (which in all honesty, for me, it's barely had the need to) it's never that noisy. No louder than a disc drive spinning up in most cases.

12" long though, so you need a spacious case. Said the vicar to the famers wife.

the 6950 is 200 and unlockable to the 6970 by flashing its bios... I haven't heard mine spin up despite running every game i own at max settings...
benefits over the 5 870 are 2GB ram and its £200 instead of £rape

Funnily enough i was looking at the 6950 and i'm really considering it in crossfire, with all the Vat crap going on i was surprised to find out i could get one on the good side of 200 quid, to crossfire that would cost near 370 ish give or take, sounds great to me.

I did also consider a couple of Gtx460's in SLI for £260, apparantly able to compete with the 570 and even the 580 in a few games (admitably none of the games i play but even so), won't be going down that road though but it is food for though.

Making the decision in a couple of days, throwing the pc spec on the previous page out the window, simply not worth it for the 570 imo having read more into it, It's either gonna be a hd6950 / crossfire or a 6970 and maybe crossfire it at a later date.

although i have heard some good things about the 5870 from a mate. God damn why is there so many cards out there.

I've recently got a 6950 for the good side of 200, seem like nice cards so far. Wouldn't say it's excessively loud, you can hear it kick in at 100% for a few seconds when you first boot which is kinda loud. But most games would never push it that far of course and it remains no more noisy than the 10 odd other fans I have in my case usually.

trailz have you flashed it into the 6970 yet?