The AMD R9 290 (non x) Thread

Fulax · 24 Oct 2013 at 14:26

RavenXXX2 said:
So say this comes in at £350, is nvidia going to counter it with another card or a significant 780 price drop, or none of the above.

A 770ti was rumoured not so long ago - although maybe that's what turned out to be the 780ti. If they do add a 770ti as well, their GPU line-up would start looking a bit cramped.

I imagine the 780ti will come in around the 780 price point, so the 780 will be getting a price drop, which should push the 770 down too. The 770 really needs a cut. If the 290 comes in at around £350 it will make the 770 look even worse value for money that the 280X already does.

Marine-RX179 · 24 Oct 2013 at 14:27

Xcandyman said:
Interesting.. None of the other 290's on Newegg mention anything about coolers. I'd be very surprised/giddy if the 290's will include third party coolers at launch. Gibbo are you able to share this nugget of information?

I'd bet that's just a typical product description error...but of course, I'd be more than happy to be proved wrong

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 24 Oct 2013 at 14:36

It seems the reviewer on Hexus says late November:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-reviews/301181-reviews-amd-radeon-r9-290x-4.html#post3085313

Xcandyman · 24 Oct 2013 at 14:42

That would be for the 290x. I HIGHLY doubt it would be any earlier for the 290. Think wishful thinking by people. I would've preferred not to have reference but if it comes at a great price (£350) and performs then I'm not going to wait. I sold my 6950 a while ago and desperate for a new card as running on integrated graphics at the minute lol.

CAT-THE-FIFTH said:
It seems the reviewer on Hexus says late November:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-reviews/301181-reviews-amd-radeon-r9-290x-4.html#post3085313

Xcandyman · 24 Oct 2013 at 14:46

Originally Posted by Gibbo
**UPDATE**

Hynix and Elpida are both just as good as each other.

I took my Elpida card which could only do 5700MHz, flashed the Asus BIOS to it, pumped up the voltage and now the Elpida card is matching with 6600MHz.

So there you go, Elpida, Hynix, it don't matter. What matters is voltage control.

Asus BIOS FTW.

By the way this is an R290 I've flashed with R290X BIOS, works a tread, but shaders not unlocked, but can now hit 1220 core and 6600 RAM on the regular R290 as well. At these speeds this also obliverates Titan. Incredible value!

Darujhistan · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:09

I think when all the series is out in non ref designs and NV have dropped their prices it is going to be a great time to buy.

Really need to see the entire range and the competition first.

Locky · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:13

So the 290 pro is the boy to get at a steal price..

flopper · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:31

Locky said:
So the 290 pro is the boy to get at a steal price..

yea for gaming it be awesome.

Uncle Petey · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:33

Looks like it. 290 + waterblock = roughly the price of a 290X.

Nice

Tute · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:40

If it comes in at the performance based on Gibbo's benchmarks and is less than £350 i'll most likely be having one.

£300 would be even better though Gibbo.

Oh Ed not again. · 24 Oct 2013 at 15:51

That bios flashing news is awesome, just need confirmation on Linux driver improvements and I think this is a buy.

Gibbo · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:32

Hi there

Here is the Asus BIOS:-
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/LP/firmware/ASUS_ROM.zip

I am not posting a BIOS flashing guide, you do that at your own risk guys.

no_1_dave · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:36

Gibbo said:
Less stream processors too.

R290 overclocked can beat R290X at stock speeds.

This quote will probably hit hardware sites like they have in the past lol

sieze2 · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:37

Wow so the 290 OC is within 6% of the 290X OC (on normal firestrike). Thats amazing. When Gibbo said its performance when overclocked was "very, very, very close to the 290x" he was not kidding.

If its 30% cheaper with 6% less performance, I think we may have a new champion.

Gibbo · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:39

sieze2 said:
Wow so the 290 OC is within 6% of the 290X OC (on normal firestrike). Thats amazing. When Gibbo said its performance when overclocked was "very, very, very close to the 290x" he was not kidding.

I've now got 290 Pro beating X, Titan and 780 HOF (1310MHz) in all the benchmarks I ran with Asus BIOS. EPIC Card!

Xcandyman · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:48

Eeek! Now just release it for £350 or below

plllllllleeeeeaaaassse

Gibbo said:
I've now got 290 Pro beating X, Titan and 780 HOF (1310MHz) in all the benchmarks I ran with Asus BIOS. EPIC Card!

psychas · 24 Oct 2013 at 16:49

290 should be good card tdp bit lower then x model @ 260w maybe bit cooler, if combined with aftermarket cooler windforce or any other and voltage unlocked should be best £ per performance card.

MrMarvelous · 24 Oct 2013 at 17:03

This looks like the card to get to be honest.

Flash it with the ASUS bios and clocks jump. I think this will be my future upgrade once prices come down a bit.

sieze2 · 24 Oct 2013 at 17:10

Gibbo said:
I've now got 290 Pro beating X, Titan and 780 HOF (1310MHz) in all the benchmarks I ran with Asus BIOS. EPIC Card!

Wow thats great news ! Good job you guys ordered lots in !

Finners · 24 Oct 2013 at 17:12

Do you think the flash is just needed in the short term until afterburner etc have been updated to control voltage?

Would hate to brick my new card after just buying it. Think I may get a 290 and put it under water.

My 680 was my first card I water cooled and these things are so voltage starved