[hardocp] 4 Weeks with Radeon R9 290X CrossFire

[chimaxi83]

Pretty funny that the users of these cards, like owners on this forum and others, along with a review site who's been using the cards for a month, post their positive experiences and opinions of the cards (that they have actual experience with, remember that), and the same old people try and downplay like it's going out of style. I'm waiting for even MORE walls of text concerning the reference cooler :sneaky:

You guys need a new hobby.

 

[rgallant]

if everyone went to water cooling for their $500-$4000 gpu's , I think 80% of the net.would be freed up not having 900mil post about gpu temps. and only compare cards for their gaming experience only.

 

[blackened23]

He's been on a tirade ever since the R290s launched, pulling rubbish numbers out to claim 780s are faster when we all know its false.

So TPU is lying , is that what you're saying? I always back up my statements with facts that are objectively tested, not "rubbish" subjective measures such as.....

"The 290X is a better experience than the Titan despite having the same performance and being hotter and louder". Now THAT is a rubbish subjective statement. What I posted, I provided proof of the GTX 780 oc being 20% faster. Linus did maximum overclocks in all of his reviews, and even the reference GTX 780 was a good margin faster than the 290X at maximum overclocks.

My statements are backed my review websites with actual numbers, if you want to argue that linus tech tips, guru3d, hardwarecanucks or tpu are rubbish, go for it. Instead of getting upset, feel free to argue with facts and actual objectively obtained benchmark results. Then the discussion could be interesting. You getting upset and replying like this with claims of me posting rubbish? Not so much. If i'm posting rubbish, TPU is rubbish. Linus is rubbish. Guru3d is rubbish. All of these websites substantiate my statements.

 

[Imouto]

Again your "0% faster than Titan" comes from the premise that the 290X can't overclock or something.

That not facts or actual numbers, it's plain misleading.

 

[blackened23]

Again your "0% faster than Titan" comes from the premise that the 290X can't overclock or something.

That not facts or actual numbers, it's plain misleading.

Last post i'll speak of this...I am not in any way trying to be misleading, which is why I posted evidence of my claims instead of merely stating my claims.

As far as the benchmarks you provided, I'll concede that I wasn't aware of those links you provided. Thank you for actually...providing verifiable benchmarks from a review website. It's all I generally ask for in a debate/discussion like this - verifiable and objective data; you went a step above what everyone else did (in other words providing benchmarks from a reputable site instead of just stating claims), which I can appreciate. Instead of, "I heard so and so at OCN can get 1300mhz EASY on the 290X". I put stock in the former, the latter not so much. Anyway, compared to the reference design, they (780 OC vs 290X OC) seem to be roughly equal or within 1-2% in that particular review, when both are reference. The 290X is gaining around 8-10%. For a 75-100MHz overclock, that is actually pretty good scaling. We'll see what the custom cards bring. The 780 scales insanely well with custom cards, so hopefully the same will apply to 290X.

 

[Face2Face]

Linus did maximum overclocks in all of his reviews, and even the reference GTX 780 was a good margin faster than the 290X at maximum overclocks.

LTT "Max" Overclocks are pretty weak sauce. Someones gotta get on there and show Slick how to overclock a videocard Even so, if he was able to get another 100Mhz out of each, the end result would probably be the same.

GTX 780 - 1100Mhz core clock
R9 290 - 1075Mhz core clock
R9 290X - 1050Mhz core clock

Elfear should be posting his review soon with his (now mine) GTX 780 Lightning vs. his air and water cooled R9 290. Then we can put this to bed

 

[Fastx]

LTT "Max" Overclocks are pretty weak sauce. Someones gotta get on there and show Slick how to overclock a videocard Even so, if he was able to get another 100Mhz out of each, the end result would probably be the same.

GTX 780 - 1100Mhz core clock
R9 290 - 1075Mhz core clock
R9 290X - 1050Mhz core clock

Elfear should be posting his review soon with his (now mine) GTX 780 Lightning vs. his air and water cooled R9 290. Then we can put this to bed

I read on the forum as I was driving tonight you bought a Lighting in another thread but I got a phone call and forgot to go back and read on. I didn't know it was Elfear's card, damn nice card I saw some numbers on his card that guy can oc and congrats on a nice card!

Do you still have the other 780 and if so are you going SLI 780?

One other question what the highest clocks have you seen on the 290 & 290x from a review site on air?

 

[Face2Face]

I read on the forum as I was driving tonight you bought a Lighting in another thread but I got a phone call and forgot to go back and read on. I didn't know it was Elfear's card, damn nice card I saw some numbers on his card that guy can oc and congrats on a nice card!

Do you still have the other 780 and if so are you going SLI 780?

One other question what the highest clocks have you seen on the 290 & 290x from a review site on air?

Reading Anandtech while driving -- ()

From what I have seen on air people (users) are getting around 1100-1150Mhz on both cards. Keep in mind this is with the reference cooler with speeds of 75% are up. Under water I am seeing 1200-1250Mhz on avg. I imagine once non-reference cards get here we will see similar results on air 1100-1200Mhz? But a much quieter noise levels. Can't wait for non-reference cards

I got the lighting up to 1320Mhz game stable now with temps in the 70's @ 65% fan speed. Shooting for 1400Mhz+ when my NZXT G10 gets here... maybe late January :hmm:

 

[Fastx]

Reading Anandtech while driving -- ()

From what I have seen on air people (users) are getting around 1100-1150Mhz on both cards. Keep in mind this is with the reference cooler with speeds of 75% are up. Under water I am seeing 1200-1250Mhz on avg. I imagine once non-reference cards get here we will see similar results on air 1100-1200Mhz? But a much quieter noise levels. Can't wait for non-reference cards

I got the lighting up to 1320Mhz game stable now with temps in the 70's @ 65% fan speed. Shooting for 1400Mhz+ when my NZXT G10 gets here... maybe late January :hmm:

You know when your at stop lights or waiting on a train.

Well you got a nice card no doubt. Yes from members on forums I have seen some decent ocs' but not many 290x/290 oc's from websites but below is a link to one which you already probably seen and per their comments but if not check it out. The other link is on the MSI AIB coming which you probably also already seen, but if not check out the part on the massive vrm design they are planning (if true) so I am curious what exactly this all entails so will be watching for news on the MSI card.

MSI
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/msi-radeon-r9-290x-lightning-pcb,25257.html

290 oc
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...ws/63863-amd-radeon-r9-290-4gb-review-16.html

 

[Shmee]

Please cut it out with the attacks guys.

I will weigh in on a few issues though.

1. 780s can OC very well with additional VDDC or modded BIOSes. They get much hotter though, and require good cooling.
2. At around $400, (if one is to be found for MSRP) the 290 is arguably the best bang for buck, especially if it unlocks and is stable.
3. From my personal experience, the 290 is great at 1600p and with bf4. However, the OCing ability is kinda meh. Whether unlocked or not, have trouble getting it stable past 1025 MHz, or so; not worth it. Memory doesn't want to be touched either. Unlocking may not be completely stable on mine. gives lower hash/s when mining.
4. I am looking forward to a new cooler, when my Gelid Icey arrives. Perhaps I will revisit OCing then, as well as unlocking.
5. Performance crown can shift depending on resolution and game.

Lastly, for those of you with a 290 or 290x, a question: how well does yours OC? How many mV did you need to add? What fan speed do you run? For me, it must be mining stable, and if it for some reason decreases h/s performance, that is a no go.

 

[desprado]

Please cut it out with the attacks guys.

I will weigh in on a few issues though.

1. 780s can OC very well with additional VDDC or modded BIOSes. They get much hotter though, and require good cooling.
2. At around $400, the 290 is arguably the best bang for buck, especially if it unlocks and is stable.
3. From my personal experience, the 290 is great at 1600p and with bf4. However, the OCing ability is kinda meh. Whether unlocked or not, have trouble getting it stable past 1025 MHz, or so; not worth it. Memory doesn't want to be touched either. Unlocking may not be completely stable on mine. gives lower hash/s when mining.
4. I am looking forward to a new cooler, when my Gelid Icey arrives. Perhaps I will revisit OCing then, as well as unlocking.
5. Performance crown can shift depending on resolution and game.

Lastly, for those of you with a 290 or 290x, a question: how well does yours OC? How many mV did you need to add? What fan speed do you run? For me, it must be mining stable, and if it for some reason decreases h/s performance, that is a no go.

plz edit ur post R9 290 was at $400 not any more it more expensive now.

 

[Shmee]

That is true, unfortunately, they tend to be pricier now, or out of stock. However, when I bought mine, it was $400 plus tax and shipping.

 

[Pandamonia]

So TPU is lying , is that what you're saying? I always back up my statements with facts that are objectively tested, not "rubbish" subjective measures such as.....

"The 290X is a better experience than the Titan despite having the same performance and being hotter and louder". Now THAT is a rubbish subjective statement. What I posted, I provided proof of the GTX 780 oc being 20% faster. Linus did maximum overclocks in all of his reviews, and even the reference GTX 780 was a good margin faster than the 290X at maximum overclocks.

My statements are backed my review websites with actual numbers, if you want to argue that linus tech tips, guru3d, hardwarecanucks or tpu are rubbish, go for it. Instead of getting upset, feel free to argue with facts and actual objectively obtained benchmark results. Then the discussion could be interesting. You getting upset and replying like this with claims of me posting rubbish? Not so much. If i'm posting rubbish, TPU is rubbish. Linus is rubbish. Guru3d is rubbish. All of these websites substantiate my statements.

Coming from the person who said that a 4k 24" monitor would never happen and that high DPI was a pipe dream for PC gaming. People dont really take much stock in what you say.

Your constant AMD bashing continues even though the 290X is clearly the best GPU on the market.

Member call outs are not allowed. -Shmee

 

[desprado]

Coming from the person who said that a 4k 24" monitor would never happen and that high DPI was a pipe dream for PC gaming. People dont really take much stock in what you say.

Your constant AMD bashing continues even though the 290X is clearly the best GPU on the market.

Can u explain in term of what?
If u dont know the topic than dont post.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Editing because...

 

[ICDP]

Please cut it out with the attacks guys.

I will weigh in on a few issues though.

1. 780s can OC very well with additional VDDC or modded BIOSes. They get much hotter though, and require good cooling.
2. At around $400, (if one is to be found for MSRP) the 290 is arguably the best bang for buck, especially if it unlocks and is stable.
3. From my personal experience, the 290 is great at 1600p and with bf4. However, the OCing ability is kinda meh. Whether unlocked or not, have trouble getting it stable past 1025 MHz, or so; not worth it. Memory doesn't want to be touched either. Unlocking may not be completely stable on mine. gives lower hash/s when mining.
4. I am looking forward to a new cooler, when my Gelid Icey arrives. Perhaps I will revisit OCing then, as well as unlocking.
5. Performance crown can shift depending on resolution and game.

Lastly, for those of you with a 290 or 290x, a question: how well does yours OC? How many mV did you need to add? What fan speed do you run? For me, it must be mining stable, and if it for some reason decreases h/s performance, that is a no go.

I have tested 3x R9 290s flashed to R9 290Xs. Two of them belong to a friend and I helped him install them in his PC. I liked them so much I bought one myself and flashed to R9 290X.

1150/1400: +100mV
1180/1400: +100mV
1170/1400: +100mV (my card)

Tomb Raider tested at 2560x1600, Ultra Preset but with DoF turned off (I hate Dof with a passion).

GTX780 MSi Gaming stock (1047Mhz boost): Min: 35, Max: 76, Avg: 52.7
GTX780 MSi Gaming OC 1241/6368: Min: 44, Max: 84, Avg: 59
R9 290X stock Uber mode: Min: 42.6, Max: 86, Avg: 60.3
R9 290X 1170/1400: Min: 55.8, Max 87, Avg: 71.2

18% increase in average and 30% in minimums over a stock R9 290X

One of my friends R9 290X cards is using an Icy Gelid rev 2. It doesn't have PWM but 60% fan speeds is almost silent and gives ~76-80c at stock on the core. VRM1 can get to high 80s so VRM cooling is not great unless you are happy to use 100% fan speed. The problem is that at 100% fan speed it is always at max even on idle. IMHO the Icy Gelid with PWM fan would be a great cooler.

 

[ICDP]

plz edit ur post R9 290 was at $400 not any more it more expensive now.

Here in the UK the R9 290 is actually available cheaper than on release day by around £10. Remember this is an international forum and what is true where you post is not true elsewhere.

 

[Zanovar]

290x best gpu on the market?hmmm,not sure about that the 290 might be in a month or so time.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

290x best gpu on the market?hmmm,not sure about that the 290 might be in a month or so time.

You're probably right since the criteria for best clearly isn't fastest.

 

[Pandamonia]

You're probably right since the criteria for best clearly isn't fastest.

Sorry i was referring to the GPU its self.

The 290 is clearly the best buy. I think ill rebuild my PC when these new 4k monitors drop

 

[Shmee]

I have tested 3x R9 290s flashed to R9 290Xs. Two of them belong to a friend and I helped him install them in his PC. I liked them so much I bought one myself and flashed to R9 290X.

1150/1400: +100mV
1180/1400: +100mV
1170/1400: +100mV (my card)

Tomb Raider tested at 2560x1600, Ultra Preset but with DoF turned off (I hate Dof with a passion).

GTX780 MSi Gaming stock (1047Mhz boost): Min: 35, Max: 76, Avg: 52.7
GTX780 MSi Gaming OC 1241/6326: Min: 45.6, Max: 84, Avg: 59.7
R9 290X stock Uber mode: Min: 42.6, Max: 86, Avg: 60.3
R9 290X 1170/1400: Min: 55.8, Max 87, Avg: 71.2

18% increase in average and 30% in minimums over a stock R9 290X

One of my friends R9 290X cards is using an Icy Gelid rev 2. It doesn't have PWM but 60% fan speeds is almost silent and give ~76-80c at stock on the core. VRM1 can get to hi 80s so VRM cooling is not great unless you are happy to use 100% fan speed. The problem is that at 100% fan speed it is always at that even on idle.

Thanks for that reply. I too had good experience with it as a 290x when gaming. Unfortunately, it had issues when mining. Are yours mining/DC stable?

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Sorry i was referring to the GPU its self.

The 290 is clearly the best buy. I think ill rebuild my PC when these new 4k monitors drop

Really, I thought the $160 7950s were the best buy, or perhaps the $60 7770s?

Based on imaginary criteria I can make anything the best.

 

[Shmee]

Really, I thought the $160 7950s were the best buy, or perhaps the $60 7770s?

Based on imaginary criteria I can make anything the best.

Unfortunately, the days of good 7950 deals are probably gone. Ill keep hope for more 290 deals with custom coolers though

 

[BallaTheFeared]

It seems a lot of us are waiting for aftermarket cards :thumbsup:

 

[ICDP]

Thanks for that reply. I too had good experience with it as a 290x when gaming. Unfortunately, it had issues when mining. Are yours mining/DC stable?

I don't mine with my card. Sacrilege I know