I would give it a try with it the way it is since it's a specialy designed cooler with improved cooling power. If it gives you decent temps when gaming then I would leave it.
If you were going to water cool the card then you should have gone with this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130923
You would have saved $10 and it comes with a higher stock clock speed.