In September, when the 5870 launched, you felt a bit different about comparing a dual GPU card to a single one. In this case, GTX295 vs. HD5870.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=28659469&postcount=499
Not directed at me, but anyway... I did not say I would go with it - the question is about the fastest card ('the champ').
I personally wouldn't go with a dual-GPU card. It's just my way. But it doesn't change the fact that it's the fastest solution by far right now (and that's the question). If I were to buy right now with no money limit, I'd probably go with the GTX480 as it is the fastest single GPU (and would have enough muscle for 1920x1080 - my gaming resolution). It's not the champ though. There's a difference - mostly about personal preference. Though idle noise is a huge factor for me, so I'd have to hear the card first (and then might decide to go with a HD5870). But this is not the topic here - it's about the champion, which without a shadow of doubt is the HD5970.
Now, the GTX295 and a HD5870 were very close in performance when the red card launched. Hence you got almost the same performance in a one-GPU solution (with other perks too - cooler, more modern, more quiet, less power hungry and no real downsides). However. the HD5970 is a different league of performance. It's like comparing a HD4870x2 and a GTX285. I'd go with the green card if I had to make a choice, but that doesn't change the fact that the better card for most people is the dual-GPU solution (and it was the champ until GTX295 launched).
"People's champ" is probably the HD5850

Best bang for buck

So neither of the two mentioned...
However, based on the link you gave, it's about personal choice for the OP. Does a GTX480 offer enough for him to choose it over a HD5970? A HD5870 did, when compared to a GTX295. However, the choice back then was pretty obvious - the Radeon offered so much more with just a slight speed decrease. And was cheaper. This time it is not. Speed only matters? HD5970. Other things? No idea - his criteria, his choice
