In games NO ! since it`s GDDR3 , the performance might actually drop in some games .Take HD4870 for example . The card uses GDDR5 , and you barely see any difference between the 512 and 1024 version , just in really high resolutions when you run out of buffer . But again , no big difference .
This card is made just to satisfy the "need for more" , a syndrome common in our days . I want to buy a Ferrari too , i don`t like the car , but it`s expensive , and there are not many who own it , so i must be some kind of god if i have it . This is actually just a "stock" card , but tuned on the outside . I don`t think the cooling is better because i see the same blower in there , and it`s just like the reference design . BIG ? yes , POWERFUL ? not really ... Expensive ? YOU BET ! If you want to have something special , design your own card and use the original PCB . Save money