[videocardz] Radeon R9 290 priced at €349 (US$400?)

[EndlessWargasm]

Hey normally Keys and I butt heads on a few issues; but he's liked the 290/290X from the beginning; but doesn't like the cooler....

His refusal to have a conversation amounts to thread [redacted].

As far as I can tell, no one likes the stock cooler, some tolerate it, others are downright antagonistic. Both valid positions in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't buy one.

I happy to discuss the relative merits of reference coolers, I'm all for having a chat with people with diverse opinions. What is annoying is those that think that their opinions amount to fact, then run away or avoid the point.

Member callouts are not allowed. Also, profanity is not allowed in the technical forums. -moderator Shmee

 

[Creig]

Wow... I certainly didn't see this one coming. $400 for the R9 290. This means that for the price of one Titan, you can pick up two R9 290's and still have $200 left over for a pair of aftermarket coolers for them.

 

[Keysplayr]

Wow... I certainly didn't see this one coming. $400 for the R9 290. This means that for the price of one Titan, you can pick up two R9 290's and still have $200 left over for a pair of aftermarket coolers for them.

Truth! And one can also buy two 780s with aftermarket coolers already installed for the same.
Looking forward to the aftermarket 290s.

 

[Face2Face]

Wow... I certainly didn't see this one coming. $400 for the R9 290. This means that for the price of one Titan, you can pick up two R9 290's and still have $200 left over for a pair of aftermarket coolers for them.

I am not convinced there is an aftermarket air cooler that is currently out that can tame the vrms temps on these cards when overclocking.

 

[Slomo4shO]

I am not convinced there is an aftermarket air cooler that is currently out that can tame the vrms temps on these cards when overclocking.

The Gelid Icy Vision Rev2 seems to do fine but I haven't seen any details on OC temps:

 

[Face2Face]

The Gelid Icy Vision Rev2 seems to do fine but I haven't seen any details on OC temps:

Is there any images with load temps on the vrms? I would be interested to see.

 

[Slomo4shO]

Is there any images with load temps on the vrms? I would be interested to see.

Can't find specifics but here is what Tom's said about the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III equipped 290 OCed to 1100MHz:

Even at 7 V, the upgraded Radeon R9 290 is barely louder at prolonged full load than the stock versions are at idle, and the GPU and VRMs stay cool to boot.

 

[Irenicus]

AMDs reference coolers are bad, but that isn't true of the competition. The problem with the aftermarket coolers that do better is they aren't blower designs. Blowers have the advantage of needing less case fans and more importantly work a lot better in crossfire. The aftermarket coolers can cause problems with crossfire. Its not just a straight "the reference cooler is rubbish so wait for AIB cards" because its actually a trade off. It's a reasonable given a well cooled case and no crossfire and a bit more cost but it's not as black and white obviously better.

The 290/290X are high wattage cards and they will always be loud, because of it.

That begs a question then. Do quieter blower cooler designs exist that an AIB partner can implement?

 

[el etro]

Wow... I certainly didn't see this one coming. $400 for the R9 290. This means that for the price of one Titan, you can pick up two R9 290's and still have $200 left over for a pair of aftermarket coolers for them.

But 290 with accelero will cost what maybe will cost the same of a better future and better projected 290 AMP/LIGHT/ICEQ/TOXIC. Wait is still the better option.

 

[Jhatfie]

I honestly did not expect AMD to price the 290 so aggressive. I was totally anticipating it to come in at $450 as at $399, it really makes the 290x at $550 a pretty poor purchase.

I wish they had custom coolers available at launch, I would have purchased one.

 

[Slomo4shO]

That begs a question then. Do quieter blower cooler designs exist that an AIB partner can implement?

I would hope so. You can always get the reference card and then slap on a GELID ICY VISION Rev 2 for an additional $40. I am sure that Asus DCII, Sapphire VaporX, HSI IceQ, and other AIB designs will be a cheaper alternative with comparable temps. It is best to wait for the non-reference models if you are not going to put the card under water :whiste:

 

[Face2Face]

Can't find specifics but here is what Tom's said about the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III equipped 290 OCed to 1100MHz:

That's great to hear. Owning a 7950 with an Accelero I can say I love the 100% quiet fan and the cooling performance. Glad to see the vrm cooling is doing it's job with the 290. I wonder why the 290X owner on [H] was having major issues with his two cards..?

 

[IEC]

Well, I know what card I'm going to upgrade to in the near future...

7950 Boost on CLC --> 290 with Gelid or Accelero HSF.