ahh, noticed a difference in the model number...so it's the same card in a different box? no changes to the setup or anything. I just thought there were some versions of certain cards that might be able to be modded or something.
The cards should be IDENTICAL. However, companies are known to put the better overclockers in retail boxes. Do you mean modding to a 9800XT? I think all the pros can be soft-modded to do that.