Did you also notice the insane performance difference? Also, the GTX 480 gets noticeably hotter when it really comes under stress. I'd like to know what fan settings are used as well. btw, the GTX 480 produces far more ambient heat in the case (due to the massive external metal heatsink). Sorry, 5970 allows far more versatility, performance, features and overclockability. Apple will avoid the 480 like the plague.
The amount of fanboyism and slanted (or completely wrong) facts over a few video cards is ridiculous. This isn't directed specifically at you, but this whole thread.
Unlike probably the majority of people reading this, I do have both a 480 and 5970. Actually they're in SLI and Crossfire modes.
The heat issues and fan issues are completely overblown. Yes, the 480 is hotter under idle, but under load, they are about the same. The same thing with the noise of the fans. Actually, the 5970's are louder under load.
As for versatility? Honestly, what are most people going to be using them as outside of graphics cards? In terms of cost, I realize that outside of the US, the 5970 is about the same as the 480, but in the US, the 480 is more comparable to the 5870.
As for speed, yes, a single 5970 is faster than a 480. But that should be expected with a multi gpu vs single gpu setup. Under sli & crossfire, it varies depending upon the application.
But overall, I notice that the 480 sli setup is faster overall in the minimum frames per second, which is what I care most about. Honestly, I'm not going to notice, and I doubt anyone of you would either, the difference between 200 and 170 fps. In fact, unless you have expensive monitors (or still using CRT), you're probably limited by your monitor on what you can see. But for the few games which stress the cards, they're slow and choppy to begin with, but I feel the 480's give an overall smoother feel due to a higher minimum frame rate. If you're dropping into sub 24 fps consistantly, having 19 fps vs 11 fps is very noticeable.
As for what Apple would decide to do, I guess if they had to choose one to give to their Mac Pro users, I guess it would be the 5970. You don't have to worry about PhysX on the Mac, and with no SLI nor Crossfire, it's obvious that the 5970 is faster and draws less power. Personally though, I can't see how either card will ever make it into the Mac Pro.
power consumption strategies and intel hates nvidia and you will obviously see, it will not happen. to me, the 5850-5870 desktop versions are the most likely right now. GTX 480 is a fail. nvidia 2009-2010 is a failure. i would get lower performing components just as long as they are cool, perform and make my bills look good 