How can I identify which cards are built on a Reference Board design?
 

I am considering buying an Arctic Cooling gpu card cooler compatible with radeon 7870’s that are “ reference board” design.
“The compatibility list is based on AMD Radeon and NVIDIA's reference board layout only. ARCTIC holds no responsibility for incompatibility on non reference boards.”
http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/cooling/vg...us.html?c=2182
I am guessing the xfx core edition might be only because it’s their lowest priced “barebones” model.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...XFX-_-14150604
Are others that are factory oc’d with even more loud fans on reference boards?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125418
Any favorites?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...+2gb&x=16&y=17

The XFX and Gigabyte use the reference PCB.

Easiest way to know is to just read a review for the particular brand card you're looking at. A competent reviewer (and one that reviewed the reference card when it first launced) will know when a card is reference vs. virtual.

Thank you Sir Jonny.