The FTW3 is a 3 slot cooler just as much as the XC3 is a 3 slot cooler. Or, the XC3 is NOT a 3 slot cooler just as much as the FTW3 is NOT a 3 slot cooler.

There is no such thing as a 0.8 slot card, therefore, each uses 3 slots. Both make 3 total slots unavailable to anything other than maybe a USB port IO bracket or something.

If you look at the pictures, you can see that they aren't much different in thickness... maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness difference.

When reviews come out, it will be clearer how the coolers compare, but I suspect that they will be comparable to any meaningful degree... assuming that there is not some underlying terrible cost-cutting design feature in one cooler versus the other.

He's talking FE vs EVGA, not XC3 vs FTW.

I disagree. Read what he wrote. He said that he plans to get the FTW3, but will get the XC3 instead if the FTW3 is too expensive; as long as the XC3 cooling won't be a big difference compared to the FTW3. He merely mentioned the FE as a reference point, but not for the purpose of comparing the FTW3 to the XC3.

Of course the size of the heatsink makes a difference. But probably not much of a difference when they (the XC3 and FTW3 -- the thing he asked to be compared) appear to be so similar .. as far as heatsinks are concerned.


Edit:
I failed to realize and consider the fact that the FTW3 heatsink is not only slightly wider, but it is also "taller" and longer. I change my previous statement. There should be a noticeable difference with all other things being equal.