R9 290 Power supply, cooling questions.

[Kenmitch]

I have a XFX r9 290 on it's way to me and have been looking at some reviews as far as power consumption.

Using AnandTech for example it looks to pull just over 400w with his test rig.

The test rig is running a Intel Core i7-4960X @ 4.2GHz

1st question: Would my current Capstone-450M power supply be enough?

My 4670k is currently overclocked to 4ghz with a fixed vcore of 1.06v

I'm most likely going to run the r9 290 at stock speeds. I may just try the flash to the r9 290x and run it at stock speeds if it unlocks.

If need be I have a Corsair CX600M sitting here that I ordered at the same time as the 290.

2nd question: The effect on cooling for the three slots at the end of the card.

Do these slots effect temps of the core or vregs? Running crossfire I'd think so but single card?

Anybody experiment with the effects on temps? Taping over them would be a easy down and dirty test. Reason I ask is if it does effect temps for the worse when blocked off it looks like they could be somewhat enlarged for a positive effect also.

Thanks.

 

[guskline]

I read the review on those Capstone PSUs and there appear to be quite good. If you have a 600W unit I would use it with the R9 290. The 4670k is VERY power efficient but the R9 290 sucks down the power from what I've read.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

Is that power supply rated at sustained wattage or peak? If it can sustain 450 watts then you should be ok, but if it can only out put that for short periods you might want to go with the Corsair. As for those little openings, I can't see enlarging them having any kind of real benefit. They only allow a small amount of air to be pushed out the back of the card. I just taped mine off with some masking tape and ran Luxmark and didn't see any changes in what I'm used to seeing.

 

[Kenmitch]

Is that power supply rated at sustained wattage or peak? If it can sustain 450 watts then you should be ok, but if it can only out put that for short periods you might want to go with the Corsair. As for those little openings, I can't see enlarging them having any kind of real benefit. They only allow a small amount of air to be pushed out the back of the card. I just taped mine off with some masking tape and ran Luxmark and didn't see any changes in what I'm used to seeing.

Continuous 450W@50 degree Celsius is what newegg shows for it.

I might just try it and see on Wednesday when the 290 is delivered. I hate the thought of having to remove all my nip/tuck/strap cable management and starting over again....But if need be not any way around it I guess.

I thought those holes were intakes.

 

[(sic)Klown12]

I thought those holes were intakes.

I did too when I first saw them, but after thinking about it they have to be there to relieve some back pressure. Those fans don't direct air in any particular direction, but blow out equally.