290x non reference Reviews

[XiandreX]

In case I missed it.. anyone have an idea of timeframe for non reference reviews? I would say most people are more interested in the better cooling solutions to make overclocking viable.

 

[sze5003]

We expect sometime by next month I would hope. All that I have seen available are the reference models.

 

[Black Octagon]

Looking forward to these. Reference 290x looks good for non-overclockers but I want to know how things will look (and how much they will cost) under proper cooling

 

[sze5003]

Looking forward to these. Reference 290x looks good for non-overclockers but I want to know how things will look (and how much they will cost) under proper cooling

Well for cost it will depend. Seeing as a reference goes for $550 then a non reference say saphire will be up there, $599-600 range.

 

[exar333]

Disappointing that non-reference are not available right away. I grabbed my 670 custom on launch day, and gladly didn't have to wait.

 

[sze5003]

Disappointing that non-reference are not available right away. I grabbed my 670 custom on launch day, and gladly didn't have to wait.

I was expecting to see at least an msi model or saphire. I think I may stick with saphire though.

 

[Roland00Address]

Any idea on when we see waterblocks for the reference design?

 

[chimaxi83]

Any idea on when we see waterblocks for the reference design?

EK is selling them already.

 

[Aithos]

Looking forward to these. Reference 290x looks good for non-overclockers but I want to know how things will look (and how much they will cost) under proper cooling

I fail to see how the 290x looks good for non-overclockers. I get that it's $100 cheaper (for now) than the 780 gtx, but in the benchmarks I've seen the performance is pretty back and forth at high resolution. The AMD card seems to perform a little better at 4k (meh) and the review was split at 2560x1600 almost in half.

However, that isn't taking the fact that you can get a superclocked 780 with essentially Titan performance for $10 more than the standard 780 which will beat the currently available 290x reference. I know that isn't exactly a fair comparison, but right now the heat means you can't overclock the 290x at all and I'm questioning whether or not an aftermarket air solution will make much difference.

Water will obviously make a BIG difference, I just don't see how people are calling this a "huge win" for AMD. If the 780 drops to $550 and the 780ti ends up reference close to or above a Titan at $650 then AMD will have a disaster on their hands unless their aftermarket solutions suprise me and blow everyone away.

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

 

[Braidster]

I think most of the exciting is this hopefully brings nVidia's pricing back down to realistic levels.

 

[Subyman]

I was totally digging the review until I got to the heat/noise section. 94C reminds me of my old 470. Then again, when I put the 470 under water it was a power house. I'll be curious to see how the 290X does with aftermarket cooling.

 

[bryanW1995]

I fail to see how the 290x looks good for non-overclockers. I get that it's $100 cheaper (for now) than the 780 gtx, but in the benchmarks I've seen the performance is pretty back and forth at high resolution. The AMD card seems to perform a little better at 4k (meh) and the review was split at 2560x1600 almost in half.

However, that isn't taking the fact that you can get a superclocked 780 with essentially Titan performance for $10 more than the standard 780 which will beat the currently available 290x reference. I know that isn't exactly a fair comparison, but right now the heat means you can't overclock the 290x at all and I'm questioning whether or not an aftermarket air solution will make much difference.

Water will obviously make a BIG difference, I just don't see how people are calling this a "huge win" for AMD. If the 780 drops to $550 and the 780ti ends up reference close to or above a Titan at $650 then AMD will have a disaster on their hands unless their aftermarket solutions suprise me and blow everyone away.

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

Nice to see that nobody is viewing the world with red or green-tinted glasses anymore...

 

[Topweasel]

Deleted

 

[hjalti8]

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

290X @ 822mhz:

290X @ 856mhz:

290X @ 852mhz:

Look at those clocks! I think aftermarket solutions will do wonders for this card.

SOURCE


and unlike my 7950 it likes voltage:

Thats a lot of watts though.

 

[rgallant]

I fail to see how the 290x looks good for non-overclockers. I get that it's $100 cheaper (for now) than the 780 gtx, but in the benchmarks I've seen the performance is pretty back and forth at high resolution. The AMD card seems to perform a little better at 4k (meh) and the review was split at 2560x1600 almost in half.

However, that isn't taking the fact that you can get a superclocked 780 with essentially Titan performance for $10 more than the standard 780 which will beat the currently available 290x reference. I know that isn't exactly a fair comparison, but right now the heat means you can't overclock the 290x at all and I'm questioning whether or not an aftermarket air solution will make much difference.

Water will obviously make a BIG difference, I just don't see how people are calling this a "huge win" for AMD. If the 780 drops to $550 and the 780ti ends up reference close to or above a Titan at $650 then AMD will have a disaster on their hands unless their aftermarket solutions suprise me and blow everyone away.

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

so at the end of the day for only a $110.00 more you can get a slower gtx780.
last time I looked a gtx780Ti is

 

[Silverforce11]

In case I missed it.. anyone have an idea of timeframe for non reference reviews? I would say most people are more interested in the better cooling solutions to make overclocking viable.

Agreed. I would think people wouldnt be interested in this reference card.. but its sold out in most places already, one of the biggest e-tailer in Australia sold out within an hour or so.

Do that many enthusiasts run with water cooling??

 

[sze5003]

I want something with dual fans like my 7970ghz. Most people do have water cooling solutions but I probably wouldn't do such a thing.

 

[wand3r3r]

I fail to see how the 290x looks good for non-overclockers. I get that it's $100 cheaper (for now) than the 780 gtx, but in the benchmarks I've seen the performance is pretty back and forth at high resolution. The AMD card seems to perform a little better at 4k (meh) and the review was split at 2560x1600 almost in half.

However, that isn't taking the fact that you can get a superclocked 780 with essentially Titan performance for $10 more than the standard 780 which will beat the currently available 290x reference. I know that isn't exactly a fair comparison, but right now the heat means you can't overclock the 290x at all and I'm questioning whether or not an aftermarket air solution will make much difference.

Water will obviously make a BIG difference, I just don't see how people are calling this a "huge win" for AMD. If the 780 drops to $550 and the 780ti ends up reference close to or above a Titan at $650 then AMD will have a disaster on their hands unless their aftermarket solutions suprise me and blow everyone away.

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

It clearly leads the 780 and the stock uber mode bests even the titan. Non overclockers get more performance than the 780, even more than the titan. So you can pay $100-$450 more for less performance? Despite the reference fan, it is clearly a better performer. Then if you go even higher resolution it walks all over the titan (therefore stomps on the 780) around 10-25% faster by [H]'s numbers.

Yes, you can get an overclocked 780 for $110 more which will even the playing field a little and finally catch up enough to trade blows, but you pay almost 20% more for a quieter cooler.

 

[flopper]

I fail to see how the 290x looks good for non-overclockers. I get that it's $100 cheaper (for now) than the 780 gtx, but in the benchmarks I've seen the performance is pretty back and forth at high resolution. The AMD card seems to perform a little better at 4k (meh) and the review was split at 2560x1600 almost in half.

However, that isn't taking the fact that you can get a superclocked 780 with essentially Titan performance for $10 more than the standard 780 which will beat the currently available 290x reference. I know that isn't exactly a fair comparison, but right now the heat means you can't overclock the 290x at all and I'm questioning whether or not an aftermarket air solution will make much difference.

Water will obviously make a BIG difference, I just don't see how people are calling this a "huge win" for AMD. If the 780 drops to $550 and the 780ti ends up reference close to or above a Titan at $650 then AMD will have a disaster on their hands unless their aftermarket solutions suprise me and blow everyone away.

I'll withhold judgement until it all plays out, but right now I'm just questioning the "hype". Am I missing somethere here? I look at hard numbers when I make buying decisions and not what people get excited about...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18551649

 

[Atreidin]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18551649

WOW, that lowers temp a LOT, and it is just an air cooler! It is a beast, but it's still just air.

I bet custom designs coming out will be huge improvements over the AMD stock.

 

[el etro]

In case I missed it.. anyone have an idea of timeframe for non reference reviews? I would say most people are more interested in the better cooling solutions to make overclocking viable.

Have one non stock clocked 290X(1030 Mhz boost), but design is reference. Don't know where's selling it.

(this time i have the link) http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b2542/powercolor-r9-290x-oc-battlefield-4.html

 

[XiandreX]

WOW, that lowers temp a LOT, and it is just an air cooler! It is a beast, but it's still just air.

I bet custom designs coming out will be huge improvements over the AMD stock.

That is one of the best pieces of news I have seen. If that holds true for a majority of the AIB/Aftermarket solutions.. with overclocking the Titan/780ti/780 are going to have no chance. I could well be wrong but take away the heat restriction and we could see some incredible overclocked scaling.

 

[tonyfreak215]

That is one of the best pieces of news I have seen. If that holds true for a majority of the AIB/Aftermarket solutions.. with overclocking the Titan/780ti/780 are going to have no chance. I could well be wrong but take away the heat restriction and we could see some incredible overclocked scaling.

I agree. Did you see the OCP's 100% test?

http://hardocp.com/article/2013/10/23/amd_radeon_r9_290x_video_card_review/13#.UmqUk3C-rX9

I know it only shows an improvement with one game (FC3) but it still gives you an idea of what better coolers will do.

 

[Saylick]

Right guys, being stress testing this solution over-night and all day to day.


At stock speeds, voltage reduced too 1225mv (Stock is 1250mv) the card running Heaven maxed out, never exceeded 50c underload and was completely silent. That is a good 30-35c improvement with the MK26 cooler over stock.

Maximum overclock does not improve any further with silent fans, but you can match the max overclock, again keeping silent fans your looking at approx 85c under load, so about 5c improvement over the stock fan at 100% which is hoover loud.

However this is the real sweet spot guys for 24/7 gaming:-

Core: 1100Mhz
RAM: 6000MHz
Voltage: 1300mv
Power: +50
Fans: Silent
Heaven 3.0: Tesselation Extreme, 16x/8x AA/AF at 2560x1440

Maximum load temperature was 62c and in SILENCE.
The stock cooler could do this but with two dis-advantages, you'd be pushing 85c area and the fans would be at 75-100%, so you'd be hotter and much louder.


In short this is the perfect gaming setup, yet you could push the OC easily to 1150 / 6400, but in our view why? Keep the card 110% safe and cool whilst still absolutely beasting everything.

The MK26 works superb, nothing is melting, VRM's, memory is all fine.

Soon we shall test EK Blocks for those who wish to go water as that will be the ultimate solution and a 24/7 gaming could be no doubt done easily with 1200/6400 speeds.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18551649&page=2

Hot dayum. With the $100 savings over the 780, you essentially could get yourself a "free" high-end cooler and reap all the benefits without breaking the bank.

 

[Stuka87]

Now we just need to wait for ASUS/MSI/Sapphire/PowerColor to get some cards out!