While gearing up for my new budget computer, it seems like the best choice for a video card is the 3870, so I had my eye on
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102713
 
However, that item now says it's deactivated; alternatively, there is the  
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102719
 
which to my untrained eyes looks exactly the same except for the uglier color and the serial number.  Is there a difference worth noting?  Am I correct in assuming that the higher serial number (on the latter card) means it's the more advanced card?
 
Secondly, this may not be answerable by most, but I want to put this into an X-QPACK2 and I've heard that this card may be too long for some cases.  Does anyone know if it fits, or if there's a way I can find out for myself?
 
Thanks much!

Its difficult to say as the specs for the processor and memory are not listed but the main differance i can see is the cooler.  The first one is a double slot solution and would vent externally out the back of your case, The second one appears to be a single slot solution that will vent into your case, obviously its preferable to vent outside given the choice but graphics cards have been made like the second one for years so its not a real problem per say.
Personally i have never had a problem with HIS cards they are very quiet, the cooler is brilliant and they come factory overclocked. With that in mind i would recomend this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 814161218.
  Mactronix
 Link is to whole range i was thinking this card  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161218

Well the second card has a single-slot cooler, which from what the picture shows, doesn't look nearly as efficient and the old cooler. Plus, I just really hate coolers that recycle hot air into the case. It's a pretty long card for sure, but most cases should be able to fit them.
 
On second look, I think the L at the end of the SKU stands for "Light Edition", because there doesn't seem to be anything included besides the card itself, so you'd have to buy the HDMI adapter separately if you wanted to use that feature.
 
Personally, I'd go with this 3870 instead, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161218  
 
Yeah I know, it's $15 dollars more, but the cooler is sooo much better. If you look at the sale price, it's marked down by $50 dollars, which is quite a lot. I'd go with it for sure.
 

 @ IndigoMoss
 
       SNAP!!    
    Mactronix

Personally i'd drop the HD 3870 and go for the dirt cheap 8800GS
 
$150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150275
 
I have one and i must say its quite the bargin bin card, it plays all games on high and OC to insane speeds!
 
i was able to OC mine using Rivatuner to 720/1800/2000memory! STABLE! just using the stock cooler
 
3dmark05 scores were 21444 using a OCed E 8400
3dmark06 score was 12014 using the same config
 
COD4 plays excellent as well as CoH.
Save yourself 50 bucks and get near to same performance as the HD3870 and alot better performance in games as nvidia has great driver support for video games.

 
Well, I use my PC for games and movies, and from what I understand ATI cards are more capable at running video.  I'll certainly keep that in mind though.
 
Unfortunately I think the newer Sapphire is my best bet; all the other 3870 cards, including the HIS and Apollo cards I've been recommended on these boards, have gotten only fair reviews compared to the glowing scores of the Sapphires.  I'm not planning to OC, so hopefully heat won't be an issue.  It's just disappointing to have to settle for a lesser card because the best one just dropped off the face of the earth (or rather, the face of Newegg).
 
EDIT: On second thought, I think I just got a bad string of reviews; the more I look at the HIS card, the better it looks.  I guess I'll consider that the frontrunner for now.

 I think you just did your self a big favour the his cards are always better than the standard card.
    Mactronix

Yeah I agree with mactronix. The HIS card is amazing for all of the reasons I mentioned above. Plus, that Sapphire hsf looks funky.

Get the Asus 3870.  It has a better warrenty.  

If your not going to overclock it then a pre factory over-clock might be better I prefer the MSI HD 3870
http://www.msicomputer.com/product [...] &class=vga
I my self would like two HD 3870 x2 but i am in the same boat so I intend to get the MSI  and then six months time another or even and x2 to go 3 times 3870
anyhow thats my two sents worth
Gazza

Well, personal experience is that I just had to RMA the sapphire hd3870 card I had.  It was the single slot blue version, I kinda wish they still had the atomic version up on Newegg.  
 
Apparently they still do, must of had to change the name on it for some reason...
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102732

The Asus cards come with the best utilities in the biz. You can OC, set fan speeds to temp, monitor the card fully and other stuff. The OC utility allows the card to sit in factory clocks untill an app demands more ect.. They have a kick ass warenty and they do cross ship.
 
Dont waste your money on Nvidia atm. You will just be kicking yourself when dx10.1 comes out and everyone with an ATI gets that sweet graphical boost.

The dirt cheap 8800GS is a step backwards ...... I would'nt waste almost $200.00 on it .