Choosing between different brands of video card

[-Tenk-]

So, all these cards are 6870 series. How can i choose between them, except for the price?

HIS 1GB 6870 PCI-E VGA Card

Powercolor 1GB 6870 PCI-E VGA Card

Gigabyte 1GB 6870 PCI-E VGA Card

Do they all support crossfire?

What things should I look for?

Obviously, the $20 isn't a problem if I'm getting a top quality video card as opposed to saving $20 and getting one that isn't nearly as good....

 

[MindoverMaster]

They are the same card. The price difference is their heatsink they use.

 

[-Tenk-]

hmmm, cool. thank you.

i've been using a powercolour video card for the past year without any troubles whatsoever... Looks like ima sticking with 'em.

Besides, aren't the heatsinks in GPUs kinda crappy?

 

[Abstract Hero]

hmmm, cool. thank you.

i've been using a powercolour video card for the past year without any troubles whatsoever... Looks like ima sticking with 'em.

Besides, aren't the heatsinks in GPUs kinda crappy?

Depends. It's kind of case to case but it tends to be reference cards that are minimally cooled.

 

[-Tenk-]

When you say reference cards, what do you mean?

EDIT: i'm planning to crossfire eventually and i'm going to be installing a fan in the side of the case to promote airflow over the video cards... will the less efficient fan(s) be a problem if I have a case fan right next to them?

 

[Peter.Cort]

reference cards are essentially the card that the manufacturer makes and slaps a fan on without any improvements to airflow design. It's hard to say if the reference coolers will be an issue, I would think in crossfire they might be, but the 6870 runs decently cool so I think with an intake fan on the side of the case you won't have any issues. If it is you can always slap on an aftermarket cooler.