Contacting Manufacturer - need advice

[Pivot]

Hi,
Okay, I posted a few weeks ago because my Zalman heatsink fan for my Vid. Card wasn't working, and since then, I've been substituting another card in for my XFX vid card. The other day, I finally got a new fan, so I installed the 7900 with the fan, and I'm having some big problems with the card. I'm not really sure why. The problem I'm having didn't happen a few weeks ago when I first put it in, but anyway, I'm trying to contact the manufacturer for support.
The only thing is...I'm not sure whether I should tell them I installed a new heatsink. I'm not sure if it voids warrenty or not, under their policy. Will they be able to tell that I did that if I send it back to them?
I mean, they don't say specifically on the warrenty that it is void if you install another heatsink, but they do say that anything other than "proper usage" is void, and to them:

"'Proper Usage' is defined as normal wear and tear. Should the Product be modified or damaged as the result of overclocking, tampering, alteration, misuse, abuse, power supply, power application, or repair by other than XFX the warranty is VOID.
Other situations that VOID the warranty include:
Damage to the card upon installation
Damage caused by software or hardware incompatibility or by motherboard incompatibility (if other than XFX software or hardware).
Was not operated in accordance with XFX specifications, instructions or technical support directions.
Physical damage to the PCB, GPU or components"

How am I supposed ot know if it was damaged upon installation or what, and if they determine something like that, what are they going to do, send it back to me broken?
Sorry, I've just never had any experience like this.

I have heard of people who did tell their vid card company that they installed a new heatsink and still got help from the company, even though it was technically void...but I'm scared the same won't happen to me, and I don't really have enough money to spend another 300 on a brand new vid card if there's still a chance I could get support on warrenty.
Thanks.

[jayb1234]

"Alteration" includes changing the heatsink, so yes you have voided the warranty. And yes they can tell that you changed it. Claiming that you did not change it would constitute fraud on your part. Sorry, but you are pretty much out of luck.

[Pivot]

Argh, that sucks.
I only installed the heatsink because I figured it would last longer/perform better under hard gaming that way. Looks like all it did is screw me.
So that's it? I just have to buy a new vid card then?

[jfk]

You should never change out subsystems unless you're having a specific problem. 7900's run very cool compared to X1XXX series cards, there was/is little reason to change the heatsink. Even then, I would ALWAYS contact the manufacturer prior to doing it to ask about the warranty. Before I changed out my GPU cooler, I emailed PowerColor to ask if it was ok (it is) and I printed and saved their response in case I needed proof down the road. As jayb1234 stated, your out of luck.

[Pivot]

Sorry for the late response.
Just thanking everyone again for their responses.
In the future, I'll know better. Several people had actually told me it was a good idea to install the cooler, but next time, I'll do more research first.
Anyway, I contacted the manufacturer, hoping they might be able to pinpoint some other problem, not related to the video card itself, that is causing this to happen. I doubt we'll come up with something, but it's wortha try.