The GPU is made by Nvidia. The video card mainboards and heat sink fans are proprietary. I have an xFx 6800gt but all of the other brands are a matter of chioce. You should buy it Tiger Direct or Newegg because they do not blink if you have to return the card if it is DOA. BFG and Pony have good reputations from what I hear. Others, I am sure, will give you some addtional advise and recommendations before the day is out!