the heatsink on the memory is crude, just a slab of flat alluminium.
temperature can still be read using ATI CCC.

you're probably better off buying a 512mb 8800GT since price differences are very small now.

It's the exact one, minus the LEDs and minus the Temp. Sensor (which is why its spinning 100% all the time) http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_features.asp?ProductID=1632 Look at the banner on the left of the PowerColor site, you can just about catch the word "Optimized by ZeroTherm" Just to ...

70mm diameter.
http://www.zerotherm.net/eng/product/GX810.asp

I'm very interested in the HD3450. Does anyone know what the least powerful CPU is that'll fully decode Blu-Ray/HD-DVD content (from hybrid LG optical drive) in combination with the 3450? I really don't need this HTPC to do any more than playback HD content. Would a E2200 be sufficient? http://sony...

If they are both the same price, get the 8800GT. The HD3870 cant touch the performance of the 8800GT. Only reason I got my 3870 was because it came with a better cooler and was cheaper. power consumption on load are the same anyways. At the end of the day, you're building a gaming rig, the 8800GT is...

These are the best for HTPC users right now. Nvidia alternatives (8600 / 8400) dont offer as many goodies. Low heat and power from the 55nm is also a plus point.

All the buzz is on the 3870 x2, no time for the low end

You might also want to consider the ATI HD3650. I hear they are good for HTPCs (UVD, Low power requirements, HDMI) . The Corsair VX PSU is very good, I have the 550w version and its very quiet, although if your HTPC case is small, the cables could be a problem.

As far as I'm aware, all reference 3870s can have the fan speed changed using RivaTuner or ATITools.

Here are some pictures, sorry for quality, phone cam

I was also unhappy with the cooling and the noise it made :evil: So I decided to take some action. Heres what I did: Disconnected the ZeroTherm fan from the card. Got some Zip Ties and mounted a silent 120mm fan. Vola! Silent and effective cooling. I've found this actually cools better then the Zero...