Which non-ref R9 290/X?

[Peddeh]

Hello,

with the non-reference AMD R9 290/X cards landing, I really want one. Problem is, I can't decide which one.

Initially I was set on the MSI Gaming, but having heard it is lacking VRM sensors and serious throttling going on with it, I'm completely put off and the lack of reviews for it was only the start.

I want a card that's going offer some overclocking headroom. I don't plan to go crazy on the clocks, I just want something that might offer the better reliability.

So, if it was you, which non-ref 290/X would you purchase and why?

 

[alawadhi3000]

Sapphire Tri-x is the best one if you can get hold of one.

 

[loccothan]

wait for MSI lightning or for Sapphire TOXIC

 

[Peddeh]

wait for MSI lightning or for Sapphire TOXIC

Any guesses as to when the MSI Lightning might become available?

 

[Silverforce11]

ATM,

1. Tri-X
2. XFX DD (very improved from 7900 series).

For mining those two are my considerations. For gaming, you can include the ASUS and Gigabyte as well, they should have no issues even OC.

 

[3DVagabond]

It's looking like the AMD exclusive vendors have an advantage in cooling solutions because they are designed around Hawaii. Where the multi vendor brands are using a cooler that was intended for nVidia for AMD and it's not quite working out on Hawaii. Apparently due to Hawaii's smaller size not lining up as well with the heat pipes (guessing).

We know the Sapphire solution is the best so far. The XFX one has promise from the Fudzilla review, but Fudzilla doesn't do the most in depth analysis and doesn't give VRM temps. Considering that XFX cooling solutions in the past haven't been very effective cooling VRM it creates a bit of concern. Looking at the hardware itself it looks like both VRM and Memory are well taken care of though.

The Powercolor tri fan cooler looks very promising. Looking basically like their 7990 cooler it should easily be up to cooling Hawaii. We haven't seen the HIS cooler yet, but if past performance of their coolers is anything to go by they are generally right up there among the best (Actually I think they had the best aftermarket 7000 cooler.).

 

[Peddeh]

It's looking like the AMD exclusive vendors have an advantage in cooling solutions because they are designed around Hawaii. Where the multi vendor brands are using a cooler that was intended for nVidia for AMD and it's not quite working out on Hawaii. Apparently due to Hawaii's smaller size not lining up as well with the heat pipes (guessing).

We know the Sapphire solution is the best so far. The XFX one has promise from the Fudzilla review, but Fudzilla doesn't do the most in depth analysis and doesn't give VRM temps. Considering that XFX cooling solutions in the past haven't been very effective cooling VRM it creates a bit of concern. Looking at the hardware itself it looks like both VRM and Memory are well taken care of though.

The Powercolor tri fan cooler looks very promising. Looking basically like their 7990 cooler it should easily be up to cooling Hawaii. We haven't seen the HIS cooler yet, but if past performance of their coolers is anything to go by they are generally right up there among the best (Actually I think they had the best aftermarket 7000 cooler.).

Thanks. So far it looks like I'll be waiting for Sapphire stock. Usually I would consider any HIS card but the colours they're using on the new one make me vomit :\

 

[3DVagabond]

Thanks. So far it looks like I'll be waiting for Sapphire stock. Usually I would consider any HIS card but the colours they're using on the new one make me vomit :\

I agree, but if it turns out they have the most effective cooling solution I would overlook the cosmetics.

 

[RaulF]

Sapphire Trix or Asus dcII.

Sapphire is ref PCB with an awesome cooler slap on top. The Asus is fully custom, I would pick the later.

 

[Gloomy]

Wow, XFX Double-D does look nice. Where to buy though?

 

[RaulF]

After some more reading I would say the sapphire Trix is the card to buy if you want to pick a 290 series at this point and time.

 

[Jurge92]

This might be worth a read:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/r9-290x-case-performance,3710.html

I'm in the same boat as OP, and I'm leaning towards the Tri-X.