The XFX GTX285 Black Edition was the fastest single GPU option in all of the tests, minus Fallout 3, and even put up a good fight with the dual-GPU options. The fan on this card was not loud, with an idle speed of 40% and maximum of 56% under load for measured fan speed. The card never ran over 80 Celsius at load, and idled in the high 30s. The heat dump was high; the air was warm but not toasty. Cranking the fan speed up got things loud and air moving good, helping with overclocking stability a bit after the point I had it set for. The temperature drop was good on the load-side with stock thermal paste. The removal of the back plate, combined with the fact that the screws use springs instead of the direct clamping pressure of regular screws, may also contribute to the temperatures, although this card had excellent idle and load temperatures.