The 1GB cards are faster, it's a proven fact. Why? The memory bandwith is better, the memory bus is wider, and there is more RASTER OPERATION units...External exhaust is always better, but if you got a great case with nice cooling, it's not bad really.
Careful, with EVGA, not all warranties are the same...WATCH which SUFFIX the model number has...
The card you pointed at has a 90 days warranty (refurb).
Buy from EVGA if you can!!!
All -KR products purchased ON or AFTER January 1st, 2011 include a 3 year limited warranty from the date of purchase. Registration is recommended. Optional Extended Warranty and Step-Up™ eligibility are offered for purchase upon product registration of a -KR part number within 30 days of the purchase date. This includes the following suffixes: -K1, -K2, -KR
Products purchased ON or AFTER November 1, 2006 MUST be registered within 30 days of the ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE to receive EVGA's Free Extended Warranty. All products not registered within 30 days will ONLY receive a 1 year limited warranty. Refer to the following suffix guide to identify the length of your warranty:
Limited Lifetime: -A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX
Limited 5 Year: -GR
Limited 3 Year: -K1, -K2, -KR (Before 1/1/11)
Limited 2 Year: -LA, -LE, -LR, -LX, -T1, -T2, -TR, -TX
Limited 1 Year: -B1, -BR, -BX, -DR
Limited 90 Day: -RX (Recertified parts)