No it doesn't.

Yes it does. One does not exclude the other. And a bad ass STOCK hybrid solution is simply more impressive than one of those shiny, cocky nVidia aircoolers. AMD took a lot of flak for their silly dustbuster coolers last year so doing something about that is also a sound marketing strategy.

Idk, I know multiple people with 290/280xs and none of them seem to have massive driver problems. I think both Nvidia/AMD are equivalent when it comes to drivers and have been for some time now.

since 7xxx series imo AMD has done really really good with drivers. Not that I had any massive problems with 4xxx or 5xxx either. But xfire and sli is hit or miss when it comes to driver support from both teams and we must remember the ones that have problems are way more vocal then the ones without any.

Sorry I think you are wrong regarding heat and power... I am after a 770 with at least 4GB, nearest price is like £260, i.e. too much! A 280x with same performance is like £200. For that price I would snap it up in heart beat! But even today I am still reading about artifacts still popping up in games? My last AMD card 8 years ago had artifacts, hence why I left AMD for Nvidia! For me it's the DRIVERS that are keeping me away!

I can get artifacts on a amd card or nvidia card when I oc them bit too much. Not had any artifacing issues with 7950 or 290x

...yeah, that's the point. I had to counter one nonsensical rumour with another. And don't call me LOL.

Yeah everything is rumor until we see solid evidence. Still you have to admit it would be great if they were 30% faster than a 780 Ti.

not a good sign if the cooler leaks before its used..........:)