🙂Those 'smears' are actually tearing at high resolutions in 3dmark2001se correct? A slot fan would actually EXHAUST the air from the card not blow air on it , and yes since these cards run hot could lower your vid card temps by 10-14celsius I put one in and it lowered my MSI G3Ti200 pro vt 128 ddr temps from 56c to 42c {msi has software called 3d turbo experience that monitors the card temp} so you can see for $15.00 canadian it was a great solution, if you have room mount it 2 slots away from agp slot I found this gave me the best cooling increase. This should help increase your memory o/c .As far as reapplying heatsinks on the ram with as2 I read a few articles on this exact subject and the increase was minimal if at all accordint to these articles, your much better off with the slot fan.😉