there is about 1 mm that isn't covered... you can either do it like the picture, or you can center it and have .5mm on top and bottom. I installed one on my 460. Truthfully i don't think it did anything... the HF Bracket will reduce your temps. The VREG HS won't reduce your temps, it's "suppose" to allow better OCing but Sleepee didn't have any luck.
 
http://forums.evga.com...69088&high=460+tim
 
my HF Heatsink thread:
 
http://forums.evga.com...=704276&high=proof
 

The picture in the Guide is a 450 not a 460. Refer to Sleepee's guide above for the VREG install.

ok, that is wierd. Even if they did another "spin" of the board, i wouldn't think they would add a 3rd row of chips. You sure they didn't ship you back a 470 or something instead of a 460?

Unfortunately no... if they give you a newer rev of the card that is ok... I'd agree with you if they returned you an older rev (1.0) or something.

I'd say call Tech and ask them about it. I'm sure they will get to the bottom of it... if there is something up.

My 460s both look like your newer version. I put Arctic Cooling Accelero Extreme heat sinks on them on them not long ago (here), and you can buy the VReg and RAM heat sinks from them for $3.87 here. They used to sell the little RAM and VR heat sinks individually for $0.90 each but I cant find them now. You could probably google them and find them though.   

@Arctucas:
 
Your card with 3 rows is the non-reference board.  EVGA typically migrates towards cost-down boards as products mature.  I have had all reference boards to date.  My last one wasn't an nvidia branded board but followed the reference layout.  Even though EVGA isn't compelled to sell you any certain revision, I would check the GPU core to make sure it's truly a 460 and not a 460SE.  What is the number on your core?  Should be GF104-325-A1

staypuft

@Arctucas:

Your card with 3 rows is the non-reference board.  EVGA typically migrates towards cost-down boards as products mature.  I have had all reference boards to date.  My last one wasn't an nvidia branded board but followed the reference layout.  Even though EVGA isn't compelled to sell you any certain revision, I would check the GPU core to make sure it's truly a 460 and not a 460SE.  What is the number on your core?  Should be GF104-325-A1

It does indeed say GF104-325-A1.
 
 

@staypuft,
 
Thanks, I will check it out.

dwoodward

OP... the reason you got a different card is because when you setup your RMA you did not indicate on the RMA form that you had an SLI system. If you have an SLI system you will get the same card back or be contacted by EVGA to send both cards back. If you do not indicate this, EVGA will find a similar model to replace with if they don't have your exact model in stock.

 
Since I initiated the RMA over the phone and specifically told Chris I had two identical cards, all he asked for was the serial number of the card that was (at the time) having overheating issues. He made no mention of sending both cards back together. Therefore, if what you say is true and I invite someone from eVGA staff to officially confirm this (although doubtless they will not), then eVGA really dropped the ball on this one.

Anyone?

For what it's worth,
  I ordered a VREG heatsink for my Evga 460 ssc (model 1380 with backplate).  The heatsink that arrived is slightly more sculpted than the original ones and is designed to use two screw holes, no sticky thermal pad just a non-sticky one.
 
Unfortunately, I also found out that my baggie only included one screw rather than two.  Have put in a support ticket to find out what sort of screw I need (6 mm, pan head will work as it has a flat contact with the board) but it's either M2, M2.5, or M3 diameter and most places don't gunge or carry anything that small (struck out at Home Depot and Lowes).
 
Fortunately, the card still runs with only one screw attached and by carefully lining up the hole without a screw and placing an insulated zip tie in there and screwing it in a bit it seems to be holding things lined up so I can easily install the right size screw when found.
 
EDIT:  Stopped by the well equipped machine shop at my university and found M2 screws that seem to be the right size.  About 5 hours later I got an e-mail from EVGA support saying they didn't know the exact dimensions of the screws but they were sending a pair my way so I'd be good.
Even with only one screw holding on I'm pretty pleased with this card.  Precision X testing looks fine at 900/2100 with a 1.038 volt setting.  Have the VREG heatsink mostly on there and replaced the stock TIM (which was pretty thickly applied) with Arctic Silver 5 leftover from the CPU (spread with plastic bag over the core heat spreader before dragging out a pea-sized grain into a line on top of that....seemed to work just enough to see a little come out the sides).  Pretty nice, even if I'm over a year behind the 460 party.