43°C for a GTX 480 stressed by FurMark is an impressive GPU temperature! Especially for an overclocked GTX 480: the GPU is factory-clocked at 752MHz (reference = 700MHz, see HERE) as well as the memory with around 100Mhz in more: 3800MHz QDR speed.
With the best air-cooled systems, the GTX 480 run at around 60~70°C under FurMark-like apps (see HERE or HERE). With water cooling, the GTX 480 is able to approach 40°C! Water cooling is curently the best regular technique to keep the GPU nicely cooled. And as Mathew (HotHardware’s reviewer) said it:
The good news is this graphics card runs at very low temps. Of course, every liquid cooling loop is different and ambient temperature is a major factor, but our testing showed impressive results in both idle and load states. Here is where a water-cooled video card makes its mark. Yes, it costs more. Yes, it requires additional hardware to implement. But, it will operate at much lower temps than its air cooled brethren. The GF100 is a perfect candidate for liquid cooling and can truly reach its potential once temps are kept in check.
EVGA GTX 480 Hydro Copper FTW is a high end graphics card priced at $650 USD.
And it deserves the FurMark certification 😉
Bye the way, FurMark 1.9.0 is in the works…