Maximum PC

XFX Ati Radeon HD 5870- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-150-490&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

MSI TwinFrozr GTX 470- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127513&cm_re=twin_frozr-_-14-127-513-_-Product

or are there better versions of the gtx 470 and 5870?

I would go for the 5870. It's faster, uses less power, and comes with the XFX lifetime warranty.

The HD 5870 is faster, but not by much anymore (Nvidia has improved the drivers for Fermi a lot since release). Still, the price difference is too close to justify the GTX 470. There are some going for $260-$300 now - that would be a little more compelling.

Yeah, but for me at least, the warranty difference alone is worth the price difference.

I have seen some benchmarks a few days ago where the 470 beat the 5870. I was suprised but I guess that's the magic of drivers. From what I have seen the 470 is only slighty more than a 5850 price wise is it not?

Yeah, there's an MSI GTX 470 going for $290. $260 if you decide to mail in the rebate. Link