[FACE]

I wouldn't count out the x2's just yet. If the 4g 5970's clock and pwn 3d, a pair could do some serious global damage....

[RomDominance]

There is a couple of super solid reasons you will not see an x2 version again.
First, the bridge that the 5970 employs is much more efficient that conventional crossfire like the x2's employ equaling more output. Secondly, the production price and cooling solution are much better with a single pcb. 1x5970 truly equals 2x5870, I tested this first hand. maybe I misunderstood your post?

Edit: back on topic for me too, lol. I plan to purchase a SOC just to run it against and with the lightning. Then keep the better of the two.

[FACE]

Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse.... I was referring to the 5970 as an x2 .....

[Witchdoctor]

I was about talking it having to compete on a 2x and 4x platform ....

if it were to compete on a 1x and 2x like before the bot changes .... well then it is a whole different ball of wax and you would have to have one to even be in the running for globals .....

For me 2x GPU cards are more of a gaming platform than a benching station ... althought would be great fun to play with. But you gamble if enough people will compete to even get decent hardware boints ....