Strengths of the X1900XT?

[BFG10K]

The fan is only loud when gaming and isnt really louder than the game.

The fan is loud and plenty of people complain about it; that you choose to accept it doesn't make it quiet. Additionally we have comparisons of it to other cards that demonstrate it's loud.

but I also dont buy a 500 dollar card to have to lower my processor and memory OC because it cant manage to vent air outside the case

So as a result of installing the Radeon how much have your clocks increased compared to when you had your 7800GTX in the system?