I ordered a XFX r9 290 Double D today. Guess I'll be the guinea pig

[Tmf]

Wow... great picture, much warmth! I would expect the 290 to be pretty much the same.

 

[geokilla]

Don't forget this is with the XFX cooler which is supposed to be the worst one out there still. XFX really seems to have gone downhill.

 

[blastingcap]

The above is a photo of XFX's 7970's cooler, not the R9 290/290X. It's SUPER misleading to post just the photo like that without further elaboration or a link to the source, which is: http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853-14/xfx-radeon-hd-7970-double-dissipation-test.html

 

[thilanliyan]

Lol the VRM cooling is a bit pathetic. Not sure why most of the AIBs don't pay attention to that.

 

[3DVagabond]

Do we have a link for the review that pic is from? That looks like a hardware.fr pic. I'd like to see their review, if they've done one, but I can't find where they have.

The above is a photo of XFX's 7970's cooler, not the R9 290/290X. It's SUPER misleading to post just the photo like that without further elaboration or a link to the source, which is: http://www.hardware.fr/articles/853-14/xfx-radeon-hd-7970-double-dissipation-test.html

Thanks for finding that BC.

 

[thilanliyan]

Do we have a link for the review that pic is from? That looks like a hardware.fr pic. I'd like to see their review, if they've done one, but I can't find where they have.

That's for the 7970, not a 290.

 

[3DVagabond]

Lol the VRM cooling is a bit pathetic. Not sure why most of the AIBs don't pay attention to that.

Because review sites don't show the VRM temps, manufacturers don't care. Now, in all fairness though, VRM's can run at very high temps and 100°C isn't really too hot. It does seem to effect stability though, and if you're into O/C'ing it's good info.

That's for the 7970, not a 290.

Cheers. Saw where BC pointed that out.

 

[Kenmitch]

I'll post a review of card once I get. Superbiiz called me this AM to confirm my order. Guess better safe than sorry.

The card is shipping from LA so it'll be free overnight shipping. Status shows released for distribution currently. Maybe have it in hand tomorrow.

Not going to be a crazy overclocking card. Figure quiet and maybe 1000-1050 on tbe core.

 

[IEC]

Do we have a link for the review that pic is from? That looks like a hardware.fr pic. I'd like to see their review, if they've done one, but I can't find where they have.

I thought it was when I looked at it. I'd say it goes beyond misleading. Thanks for finding that BC.

Sorry for posting the pic without comment. I saw it in the 290X thread and had assumed it was a infrared pic of the 290X, but I see now the poster there has added a line saying it's from a 7970. I've updated my post earlier in the thread to reflect that.

Still, that post is from a Ghost 2.0 cooler and the cooler's design principles haven't changed in their 290X version - it's still roughly the same size with 2x 85mm fans and will likely suffer from high VRM temps. Compared to my MSI Gaming 290s which use bigger heatsinks and 2x 100mm fans, I doubt it will perform better...

But I'll wait to hear OP's review of it.

 

[Abwx]

What Hardware.fr sensed temp dont show is that the power supply
stages temperatures are higher on the Nvidia cards than on the 290
and 290X series according to their explanations, chip temp is not all.

 

[thilanliyan]

It's not that difficult to keep VRM temps in check IMO. Get a slab of metal on there with somewhat large cooling fins and it's good to go.

I had THIS:

on my 4870 a while back and now I have cut a narrow strip off the front bit of that heatsink with the mounting holes, and have used that on a 6950 and also a 7950. Can keep the VRMs under 75-80C easily if you have a fan blowing (even gently) over it.

The fins don't even need to be that tall...as long as it can fit under the fans of non-reference coolers, which usually it can, then it should be fine. Ironically, the reference cooler does pretty well with VRM temps.

 

[3DVagabond]

Sorry for posting the pic without comment. I saw it in the 290X thread and had assumed it was a infrared pic of the 290X, but I see now the poster there has added a line saying it's from a 7970. I've updated my post earlier in the thread to reflect that.

Still, that post is from a Ghost 2.0 cooler and the cooler's design principles haven't changed in their 290X version - it's still roughly the same size with 2x 85mm fans and will likely suffer from high VRM temps. Compared to my MSI Gaming 290s which use bigger heatsinks and 2x 100mm fans, I doubt it will perform better...

But I'll wait to hear OP's review of it.

Fair enough. Mistakes happen. I'll edit my posts as they seem a bit harsh now.

It's entirely possible that the 290X will still suffer from high VRM temps, but we don't know that. I don't think it's the size of the sink and the fans, it's just that the plate they used wasn't effective at removing the heat from the VRM's. Hopefully they've improved that. I do like that they typically use reference AMD boards on their cards. There's a known consistency and quality level of components which is quite high. Some of these boards "based" off of the reference designs simply swap out components for cheaper versions.

 

[Silverforce11]

The XFX R290 cooler is very different to its 7900, day and night difference. It is very good compared to other custom cards out there, just not Tri-X good.

To be fair you guys need to check out thermal images of popular custom 780 ti, their VRM run 85-90C as well, at stock gaming.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=35877711&postcount=101

 

[geokilla]

It's not that difficult to keep VRM temps in check IMO. Get a slab of metal on there with somewhat large cooling fins and it's good to go.

I had THIS:

on my 4870 a while back and now I have cut a narrow strip off the front bit of that heatsink with the mounting holes, and have used that on a 6950 and also a 7950. Can keep the VRMs under 75-80C easily if you have a fan blowing (even gently) over it.

The fins don't even need to be that tall...as long as it can fit under the fans of non-reference coolers, which usually it can, then it should be fine. Ironically, the reference cooler does pretty well with VRM temps.

Because everyone can custom make a piece of metal and know how to put it onto their GPU..

The XFX R290 cooler is very different to its 7900, day and night difference. It is very good compared to other custom cards out there, just not Tri-X good.

To be fair you guys need to check out thermal images of popular custom 780 ti, their VRM run 85-90C as well, at stock gaming.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=35877711&postcount=101

So XFX has redeemed itself? How does it compare to ASUS and their Direct CU II?

 

[CropDuster]

Any update OP?

 

[Kenmitch]

Any update OP?

Soon....XFX DD + mining + Corsair 350D = bad combo

Current windows install is whacked so little testing done. Was going to do a fresh install but decided to switch up the rig instead. Figured I'd mine while I decide on which way I was going to go. Mainly just mining with no side cover on case.

System rebuild in the works. Should have some results Thursday as I'm off.

Going to 2x m-itx rigs. 1 for DD and another for Tri-X(on order thru shopblt eta around 2/15)

Got 2 cases and mb's being delivered today. Debating on cpu choice currently. Not sure if I'll transplant the 4670k or just pick up a couple i3's....Casual gamer.

I'll make a new thread once results are ready.

 

[Slomo4shO]

Because everyone can custom make a piece of metal and know how to put it onto their GPU...

Can always get a reference card and go with a custom loop:

OP, I would love to see the VRM temps on that card after extended use.

 

[46andtool]

those xspc water blocks are so sexy

 

[Kenmitch]

Can always get a reference card and go with a custom loop:

OP, I would love to see the VRM temps on that card after extended use.

No spoilers.....For its size it's an impressive cooler.

GPU-Z readings are somewhat whacked currently on my rig as lots of fluctuations on loads, voltage, etc....Don't wantt to quote temps til i'm confident they are correctly reflected.

 

[AE-Ruffy]

ORdered mine yesterday
Amazon says 1-4 weeks, We'll see

 

[Kenmitch]

OP, I would love to see the VRM temps on that card after extended use.

GPU-Z is somewhat whacked on some of the readings so not sure how accurate the temps are. GPU load is whacked for sure! Looks like some voltages are reading whacky also....12v rail for example in the screen shot. VRM 1 temps not the greatest but I'm thinking may improve a little once the card is standing up instead of sideways....Will see soon enough.

72hrs of mining load I think would be considered extended use. The fan is at 100% which is still quiet....No real world use results yet.

Might do my rebuild tomorrow.

 

[Despoiler]

GPU-Z is somewhat whacked on some of the readings so not sure how accurate the temps are. GPU load is whacked for sure! Looks like some voltages are reading whacky also....12v rail for example in the screen shot. VRM 1 temps not the greatest but I'm thinking may improve a little once the card is standing up instead of sideways....Will see soon enough.

72hrs of mining load I think would be considered extended use. The fan is at 100% which is still quiet....No real world use results yet.

Might do my rebuild tomorrow.

No idea how you could have 20% GPU load while mining. When I mined on GPUs they were pegged at 100%. 97C on the VRMs is under their max rating. Not great, but I wouldn't say bad either for running 3 days solid. Unless that 20% is accurate....

Also, do we know who makes the VRMs? The caps look like Nichicon if I'm not mistaken. I could be wrong though.

 

[Kenmitch]

No idea how you could have 20% GPU load while mining. When I mined on GPUs they were pegged at 100%. 97C on the VRMs is under their max rating. Not great, but I wouldn't say bad either for running 3 days solid. Unless that 20% is accurate....

Also, do we know who makes the VRMs? The caps look like Nichicon if I'm not mistaken. I could be wrong though.

GPU load reading isn't correct. CCC shows 100% at all times when mining.