What a difference a heatsink makes

[dacca]

hey everyone, my 4890 recently went south on me! good job i go with xfx who cover overclocking in their warranty so turns out my old 4890 has been discontinued! you can see that version here http://hullservers.com/shop/xfxati-radeon-hd-4890-1024mb-ddr5-pcie-20-hdtvduallink-dvi-p-306.html?zenid=77359167c7bfcaacc1e092eaf669800c and replaced with this version http://www.ebuyer.com/product/177264 so i am getting the newer model, now the only real difference i can see to be honest is the heatsink and fan! looks a lot nicer, and looks like dissapation of air will be increased over the old model! anyone got this new model? or a gpu with similar heatsink? is this the only difference between the cards? also on a side note! does anyone else find it really annoying that graphics cards are made to look so awesome! with these slick futureistic looking fans! with all this new technology! only so it can face down in the case and only seen by the old pci slots! perhaps this is to make them realise just how obselete they now are!, sorry for rant! but i really would like to see the nice looking side of my gpu when i look in my case

 

[wa1]

I think that is a good card and yes, it's XFX, double warranty.
A good heatsink will make a card cooler, as I know that 4890 produced more heat than any other 48xx card, don't forget that u must have a good airflow on your case too...
I never see my side case, even my HIS 4850 will glow in the dark(awesome)...
Anyway, good choice, dacca...