XFX HD 7970 BE VRM Problem - DD or Reference?

[Zabuzaxsta]

I'm assuming everyone is familiar with the VRM problem on the new HD 7970 Black Edition Double Dissipation cards:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1666378&page=1
http://www.overclock.net/t/1200211/stay-away-from-xfx-7970-black-edition-design-flaw

My problem is that everyone mistakenly refers to the double fan model as "the black edition." That's not true - there are two black editions, which is quite obvious on the XFX page:

http://xfxforce.com/en-us/Products/Graphics-Cards/ATI/AMD-Radeon-HD-7000-Series/AMD-Radeon-HD-7970.aspx

Under that little "Black Edition" sub-heading, there are two cards - one has two fans (thus double dissipation), the other has one fan (is this what they call a "reference" design?). All the Black Edition part refers to is the fact that it has been factory overclocked, which is something I want.

My problem is that I am going to run two of these cards on crossfire for a few weeks/months/whatever, then upgrade to a water-cooling system (probably). Regardless, I can't find out if the VRM problem is just for the Double Dissipation version, or if it applies to all black editions. Can anyone tell me? I want a black edition, but not if both black editions have VRM problems. If the "reference" version of the black edition doesn't have any VRM temp problems, I'm going to get that - can anyone confirm?

 

[Stupid_Newbie]

If you plan to go WC, stick with reference design. Blocks for various custom PCBs just dont happen. So if WC is something you are going to do, stick to a reference card, as waterblocks will fall in your lap for those cards, from all waterblock manufacturers

 

[DarkStryke]

They're all reference PCB's right now IIRC, the only thing that's different is the cooler.

 

[Zabuzaxsta]

I'd still like to know if there's a vrm problem with the reference (i.e. non-dual dissipation) HD 7970.