MSI Radeon R9 290X Lightning PCB pictured

[Nevk]

http://videocardz.com/48270/msi-radeon-r9-290x-lightning-pcb-pictured

Here is the first look at the new MSI Lightning.

MSI is slowly preparing R9 290X and GTX 780 Ti Lightning cards. Today I share with you pictures of the first custom R9 290X board. So how do we know it’s R9 290X? Well it has the same memory layout and missing CrossFire fingers. That should be enough for a proof.

 

[Silverforce11]

12 + 3 + 2(!!) Power design, that card on water would fly.

 

[Saylick]

I'm hoping that 12 phase power design helps a lot with enabling 1200+ MHz clock rates. Reference 290Xs don't seem to enjoy being pushed above 1150 MHz...

 

[Techhog]

At the right price, this would likely end up being the card to get for enthusiasts who don't want to spend $700+ on a card. Assuming that the cooling solution is excellent (and since this is a Lightning, it should be), this would be fantastic for $600 or less imo.

I can only hope that this leak is a sign that aftermarket coolers are on the verge of launching.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I can only hope that this leak is a sign that aftermarket coolers are on the verge of launching.

It seems to be 2014 launches with missed holiday sales. I wonder why it goes so slow because its against the "best business" practice.

 

[blackened23]

Whoa, that's 3 power connectors: 8+8+6. Still it's a Lightning and should be an amazing card.

 

[Silverforce11]

Whoa, that's 3 power connectors: 8+8+6. Still it's a Lightning and should be an amazing card.

Its the perfect card for people like Karlitos or AdamK.. slap a waterblock on it, crank up the clocks and each card is gonna draw like 450W.

 

[Techhog]

It seems to be 2014 launches with missed holiday sales. I wonder why it goes so slow because its against the "best business" practice.

Really hoping that's not the case and they manage to squeeze a few out mid-December. I son't see why there haven't at least been "quick and dirty" modified Tahiti coolers. Even those would drop temps a good 15C, or at least allow max clocks all the time.

 

[3DVagabond]

Nice looking PCB. Since it's a Lightning, it will likely be too expensive though for the improvements it brings. Some people don't care though, and it should be a really nice card.

The only down side is it looks like standard connectivity. A step back from previous AMD Lightnings.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

The only down side is it looks like standard connectivity. A step back from previous AMD Lightnings.

What do you mean?

But looks pretty amazing. 4x watercooled it might trip a normal house.

 

[3DVagabond]

What do you mean?

But looks pretty amazing. 4x watercooled it might trip a normal house.

Prior Lightnings were Eyefinity6 capable without a DP hub. This looks to have the regular 2xDVI, 1xDP, 1xHDMI connections.

 

[Teizo]

Whoa, that's 3 power connectors: 8+8+6. Still it's a Lightning and should be an amazing card.

That was the first thing I noticed.

Going to be a triple slot card I bet.

 

[blackened23]

That was the first thing I noticed.

Going to be a triple slot card I bet.

It'll be 2.5 slot because MSI won't change the lightning design until the next gen 20nm cards arrive - it should be basically identical to the 780 lightning in terms of appearance, with perhaps a different color scheme.

I didn't like the aesthetics of the 780 lightning all that much, but it is/was one of the best 780s on the market. Still, 3 power connectors is pretty shocking - I suppose that is geared more towards the LN2 guys going for world records and what-not.

 

[Slomo4shO]

Early next year... I wonder how much revenue AMD missed out on by delaying non-reference designs until after Christmas...

 

[Techhog]

Early next year... I wonder how much revenue AMD missed out on by delaying non-reference designs until after Christmas...

Enough to make this series a failure I bet

 

[Slomo4shO]

Enough to make this series a failure I bet

I just picked up 4 R9 290s and the custom water loop is going to be more than the 4 cards :whiste:

 

[Techhog]

I just picked up 4 R9 290s and the custom water loop is going to be more than the 4 cards :whiste:

I mean financially when all's said and done and they move on to the R7/9 300 series.

 

[Slomo4shO]

I mean financially when all's said and done and they move on to the R7/9 300 series.

I understood what you meant ^_^ The company finally got back into the black and I am thinking that lack of focus on the CPU/GPU end due to the consoles is going to drive them back into the red. Delaying both the AIB GPUs and CPU lineup to Q1 2014 was just financially irresponsible. AMD barely won my business for the GPUs (thanks to a Newegg promo) and lost to Intel. Going with Haswell instead of Richland for my laptop purchases since they failed to drop mobile Kaveri before Christmas.

 

[blastingcap]

http://videocardz.com/48270/msi-radeon-r9-290x-lightning-pcb-pictured

Here is the first look at the new MSI Lightning.

MSI is slowly preparing R9 290X and GTX 780 Ti Lightning cards. Today I share with you pictures of the first custom R9 290X board. So how do we know it’s R9 290X? Well it has the same memory layout and missing CrossFire fingers. That should be enough for a proof.

Good point about missing XFire fingers, I'm looking forward to that feature

 

[XiandreX]

At the right price, this would likely end up being the card to get for enthusiasts who don't want to spend $700+ on a card. Assuming that the cooling solution is excellent (and since this is a Lightning, it should be), this would be fantastic for $600 or less imo.

I can only hope that this leak is a sign that aftermarket coolers are on the verge of launching.

Man i am with you on your last comment more than you realize. Enough waiting already, bring on the custom cards.

 

[XiandreX]

I just picked up 4 R9 290s and the custom water loop is going to be more than the 4 cards :whiste:

I am envious of your budget. :biggrin:

 

[Slomo4shO]

I am envious of your budget. :biggrin:

At $1280 for the lot, it was only a 28% premium over a single Titan :biggrin:

 

[DarkKnightDude]

Should be an awesome card! I have an MSI Lightning 7970 and its great.

 

[Hauk]

I hope they do away with the stupid GPU reactor, pretty much negates any slot above the card. I like MB's with a 1x or 4x PCI-E slot on top.

Love them otherwise.. was so damn close to grabbing a 780 Lightning. Will prolly give in a few months from now, 290x or 780ti Lightning.

 

[Teizo]

At $1280 for the lot, it was only a 28% premium over a single Titan :biggrin:

Plus you get to save on your winter heating bill. They will pay for themselves over time :biggrin:

I'd love to go 3-Way SLI, but I'm not so sure of the driver support. Plus, I'd need reference cards.