R9 290 launch, Ref design only or non-ref?

[Hauk]

Anyone find info about 290 launch, ref only or non-ref?

 

[Shmee]

Not sure yet, but I was just wondering the same thing! Hopefully they have some good coolers out soon.

 

[tulx]

I "heard" that custom versions (meaning better coolers and possibly factory overclocked) of the 290x are coming towards the end of November.

 

[ICDP]

They need to get them out much sooner than the end of Nov.

780Ti is out soon and 780 prices have dropped to make them a more attractive solution to consumers than the reference R9 290X with that gawd awful cooler. The longer AMD wait to release custom cooled versions of R9 290 and 290X the worse it will be for their reputation.

It's getting kinda pathetic watching AMD eff up almost every GPU release with either poor drivers, poor coolers, or delays. They invariably allow Nvidia to waltz right in with a counter punch that leaves AMD reeling. Everyone but AMD sees this punch coming a mile away but AMD still fall for it almost every time. It's almost too easy for Nvidia sometimes.

 

[akahoovy]

No doubt, waiting on non-reference coolers for the 290x and 290 is driving me crazy.

 

[Rvenger]

It will probably follow suit of the 290x - Ref first then non ref later. I personally like reference boards with aftermarket coolers due to guaranteed voltage control (For AMD in this case). When the AIBs start making non reference boards then voltage control might get left out to cut costs. Ahem, Gigabyte.

 

[Teizo]

Yeah, from what I read this morning the launch will be with reference cards. Custom cards will soon follow. Power Color has already announced theirs (according to videocardz.com).

 

[Kenmitch]

Yeah, from what I read this morning the launch will be with reference cards. Custom cards will soon follow. Power Color has already announced theirs (according to videocardz.com).

That was a factory overclocked version it looks like....Photo shows ref design cooler still.

 

[Rvenger]

That was a factory overclocked version it looks like....Photo shows ref design cooler still.

They have done the same with the 290x overclocked at 1030mhz. Such a mild overclock I don't even know why they bothered.

 

[Gikaseixas]

I bet it is only reference at launch, non reference to follow

 

[Slomo4shO]

They have done the same with the 290x overclocked at 1030mhz. Such a mild overclock I don't even know why they bothered.

To receive the label of fastest out-of-the-box 290X and 290 on the market :whiste:

Non-reference designs won't show up until the end of the month for both models.

 

[3DVagabond]

They have done the same with the 290x overclocked at 1030mhz. Such a mild overclock I don't even know why they bothered.

Maybe they want to be to AMD what EVGA is to nVidia? 13 models of GTX 770 😀