I be a noob when it come to build a pc or know what all the certain spec for gpu\/cpu\/mobo etc. be and why they do what they do and how they do it , so do not expect a intricate review . there r plenty of those type of review out there for you to look at if u really wanna know that stuff . this be just a simple review detail my experience with this gpu . also this be my first ever review so if I miss thing I apologize . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I spend alot of time reading review n research part for my first pc build . I read lot of review and forum that say this card have laser lock shader -lrb- whatever that mean -rrb- so u CAN NOT unlock the shader to the 6970 . after much research i decide to go with this card because of the 2gb memory and I have hear alot of good thing about Radeon gpu 's though I have never own one in the past -lrb- I will be stick with radeon from now on -rrb- . this card run all game i play -lrb- skyrim\/kindoms of Amalur : reckoning\/bf3 to name a few -rrb- at max graphic setting -lrb- stock not OC 'D or unlock -rrb- with out a problem . I be able to unlock my card just by flip the switch -lrb- located next to the crossfire bridge\/connector thingy -lrb- you will need a knife or toothpick or something to flip the switch since its located under the pretty plastic cover -rrb- . run cool 30 degree c at idle . it be quiet and I really like that . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- unlock the shader to 6970 : I have read many review of people not be able to unlock the shader . I do not know why they could not or how it work or why some work and some do not , but there be many review and forum post to read about the subject if you be interested in that stuff . all I can tell you be my personal experience with this issue ... there be not one . I build my pc and never touch the shader switch on this card cause i want to see stock condition during gaming first . after all update and driver and all that fun stuff be finish and my game be load and test , I decide to flip the switch and see if it would unlock . I shutdown my pc , disconnect power cord , flip the switch , and restart pc . to my amazement and delight the shader be unlock from 1043 -lrb- or something like that , I can not remember exact number but it be 10xx -rrb- to 1536 -lrb- accord to gpu-z cause cpu-z would not show I any graphic info -rrb- ! it be beyond I why this card work and other do not . it be so easy !! which be good for a noob like I . no go into bio , no software to mess with and potentially fry the card , just flip the switch -lrb- away from the crossfire bridge connector thingamajig -rrb- and reboot and that be that . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- overclocking : I have not overclock this gpu because i have no need to . if it will run all game I play at max graphic setting i see no point in overclocking . in the future if i need to overclock it i will or get another so i can run they in crossfire . that be just I though . if you have to oc it for brag rights you need to look elsewhere for info on that because i have none to give . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- contents : this gpu come with a driver installation cd -lrb- of course -rrb- , a hdmus cable -lrb- sweet ! -rrb- , a crossfire cable -lrb- also sweet ! -rrb- , a registration card , and a dirt 3 download card to get you free copy of dirt 3 . note : dirt 3 coupon may only be redeem between May 24 , 2011 and December 31 , 2011 -lrb- accord to fine print on the download card -rrb- . I do not even bother try to get the game cause I be not into race game and do not need something on my pc i will never use . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- all in all i be very happy with my purchase of this card and have have no issue whatsoever and would recommend this card to anyone . be a great purchase for I since this be my first build ever and a huge learning experience . if you be a noob like I i would recommend this card for the simple ease of use I have with install and unlock . however ... keep in mind that some people be not able to unlock the shader on they card for one reason or another . this review be just my personal experience with the card . there be alot of thing like movie quality and such i can not compare to my old pc since my old pc be run Windows xp and this pc be run Windows 7 with different media player , and to compare the quality from one pc to another would be like compare a monster truck to a smart car . this be a new card , only a few day old , so if something happen in the future , I will add to this review with new info . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- my first PC Build -lrb- feel free to comment on it and add suggestion . like i say I be a noob and any info be helpful info to I -rrb- motherboard : Asus M4A87TD EVO Socket am3 \/ AMD 870 \/ CrossFireX \/ SATA3 & USB3 .0 \/ A&G; bE \/ ATX Motherboard CPU : AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Processor , Black Edition GPU : Sapphire DIRT 3 EDITION Radeon HD 6950 2 gb ddr5 dl-dvi-i\/sl-dvi-d\/hdmi \/ dp PCI-Express Graphics Card PSU : Corsair Enthusiast Series 750-Watt 80 plus bronze certified power supply compatible with Intel Core i3 , i5 , i7 and AMD platform Cooling : Antec Kuhler h2o 620 liquid Cooling System -lrb- my case come with 5-120mm fan and 1-200mm fan so i leave they in there and have they run as well -rrb- RAM : Corsair Vengeance 8 gb -lrb- 2 x 4 gb -rrb- ddr3 1600 MHz -lrb- pc3 12800 -rrb- 240-pin ddr3 memory kit for Intel Core i3 , i5 , i7 and AMD Platforms SDRAM Case : Antec ATX full Tower gaming case , twelve Hundred v3 -lrb- black -rrb- ssd : crucial 128 gb m4 2.5-inch solid state drive SATA 6Gb\/s HDD : current hdd 's be ancient so I be shoppin for 2 good 1tb hdd 's -lrb- any suggestion ? please give a reason for any suggestion u leave so i know why you suggest it -rrb- OS : Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------