MB + GPU + SB X-Fi

So... I have a ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 with a HD 5850 and everything's perfect. I saw a great deal the other day and decided to drop a few bucks on the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer PCI.

My problem is: with the GPU taking the majority of the space, the only PCI slot available is the one right next to the GPU card and it's fan, which makes the temp of my GPU while playing (tested with LOTRO) going from 45C to 60C. It's also the closest PCI slot to the PSU...

Does anyone have the same problem? Will I have to return this audio card? The integrated sound isn't bad but we always want more and I was hoping for a 7.1 system in the near future... But my GPU is way more important.

That's why I'm asking the experts here. Any ideas?

Thank you so much.

Ric