Thread: [Shopping] Need help deciding on a video card upgrade.

Hey everyone, I'm looking to upgrade my video card because its the only weak link in my computer holding me back from amazing performance in games like Skyrim.

Here's the equipment I'm running now.
RAM: 16gb (4x4gb) DDR3 12800
Newegg.com - ADATA XPG Gaming Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model AX3U1600GC4G9-2G
MOTHERBOARD: 2.6ghz FSB, PCI Express 2.0 x16 (3 slots, crossfire supported)
Newegg.com - DFI LANParty DK 790FXB-M3H5 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
PROCESSOR: AMD Phenom 2 3.2ghz 6 core
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX


and lastly, the video card that I'm currently using that chokes on skyrim unless its at medium settings, and the last thing it could run at max was bad company 2.

Radeon HD 5670 1gb
Newegg.com - DIAMOND 5670PE51G Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card


So thats my current rig. I'm looking to upgrade my video card to something amazing and see how it runs. I'd like some ideas with a budget no higher than $500. So yeah I'm looking at high end stuff, but I'm not looking at the crazy expensive CAD stuff.

I looked around and found this video card that looks to be the best on the market for me.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-697A-CNFC Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
it's a Radeon HD 6970 2gb 256bit PCI Express 2.1

It looks to be double the video card in all ways, its of the latest series the 69xx series, its an upgrade from 128bit to 256bit, its an upgrade from 1gb to 2gb. I double checked everything and its fully compatible with my system and I have a big enough power supply to feed this card.
Question is, can any of you suggest anything better? I've always stuck with radeons and they've served me fairly well as budget video cards, but they are the reason I'm in this situation now, I've always done a budget card with budget performance, now i'm ready for the real deal.

oh thank you, these are things I don't know

I can definitely wait till after the holiday buzz. my birthday is in february so it'd make a perfect birthday present to myself.