Sapphire R9 290 Vapor-X or Sapphire R9 290X Tri-X?

[Farseer]

Hi,

I’m thinking of getting either the Sapphire R9 290 Vapor-X or Sapphire R9 290X Tri-X. Irrespective of the £70 price difference is the Vapor-X the better cooling solution to get for lower noise and temps or would the 290X Tri-X be the one to go for as there isn’t much difference and it’s a bit faster?

Does anyone have any experience using these two cards, is there any difference in sound levels? I like to try and keep things as quiet as possible (on air)

I currently have:
i7 2600k at 4.4
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3
Noctua D14 CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Vanguard V850W
650D (standard fan configuration but with all fans replaced)
Sapphire 5850

Many thanks.

 

[ghost.florian]

What's your budget ? There is a pretty sizeable difference in price between the 2.

Here is a review of the Tri-X cooler on the 290, which seems to be among the cheapest 290s available now:
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/63953-sapphire-radeon-r9-290-tri-x/?page=10

Here is a review of the 290 Vapor-x:
http://www.legitreviews.com/sapphire-vapor-x-r9-290-tri-x-oc-video-card-review_139177

Neither cooler seems to be on the quiet side of the spectrum, but you can't expect 290/290x's to be quiet cards, given the high heat output.

If silence is what you are after, I would go for one of these:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-182-GW&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

 

[stulid]

The Tri-X has to be one of the quietest cards I have used yet.

But I now have a Vapor-X and its even quieter, during normal use the middle fan only spins and occasionally the outer two may spin up for a moment, during gaming all three spin up and it still remains quiet.

 

[Farseer]

What's your budget ? There is a pretty sizeable difference in price between the 2.

Here is a review of the Tri-X cooler on the 290, which seems to be among the cheapest 290s available now:
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/63953-sapphire-radeon-r9-290-tri-x/?page=10

Here is a review of the 290 Vapor-x:
http://www.legitreviews.com/sapphire-vapor-x-r9-290-tri-x-oc-video-card-review_139177

Neither cooler seems to be on the quiet side of the spectrum, but you can't expect 290/290x's to be quiet cards, given the high heat output.

If silence is what you are after, I would go for one of these:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-182-GW&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1341

My budget is £450 max, I was contemplating The 780Ti but I don't want to spend that kind of money for some small gains as I may want a new card in a couple of year’s time, after the new cards are released next year.

It doesn't have to be silent, just quiet so was wondering if the 290X Tri-x is worth getting as it's in budget (or the cheaper MSI 290X gaming) or getting the slighter better Vapor-x cooler on the standard 290.

The Tri-X has to be one of the quietest cards I have used yet.

But I now have a Vapor-X and its even quieter, during normal use the middle fan only spins and occasionally the outer two may spin up for a moment, during gaming all three spin up and it still remains quiet.

Thanks for the info, just wanted to know if the Vapor-X was really worth the extra money over the Tri-X.

 

[ghost.florian]

Then get this one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-344-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

Or if you want the cheaper version: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-348-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

It's the cooler(s) you want, on top of a high performance gpu which doesn't break the bank so badly.

If you want your computer to be extra silent, tweak the fan profile in Afterburner to sit at 10% (or minimum) when idle or under 50 degrees, and get a pair of headphones when you're gaming )

 

[stulid]

Thanks for the info, just wanted to know if the Vapor-X was really worth the extra money over the Tri-X.

Hmm, its a tough thing to say as both are top notch.

 

[Farseer]

Thanks for your input, it's along the lines of what I was thinking with a Tri-X vs Vapour-X or if I want it to be really quite go for the Gainward 780 Phantom.

It's interesting that the MSI 290X gaming is around the same price as the 290 Vapor-X.

 

[stulid]

I strongly think the Tri-X and Vapor-X are better coolers than the MSI Twin Frozr

 

[Farseer]

I strongly think the Tri-X and Vapor-X are better coolers than the MSI Twin Frozr

Thanks for your thoughts on this. It’s mainly why I was edging towards getting the 290X Tri-X, if the Vapor-X on the standard 290 wasn't that much better, as it's a very good cooling system on a faster card.

 

[Chewie]

I've had a R290 Gigabyte Windforce OC and a R290 Powercolor PCS+ an I now have the Vapor-X OC and can only recommend you the latest.

It's by far the best custom R290 you can get today. The cooling is brillant, it is very discrete even on load and the performances/overclocking potential is excellent.

 

[rolypolyman]

Not worth the extra money in my opinion and Sapphire don't even back these 'top notch' cards with a 3yr warranty, only 2yrs. I have the Msi 290 Gaming, its quiet and cool, good looking and has 3yr warranty, better value in my opinion.

 

[Farseer]

Not worth the extra money in my opinion and Sapphire don't even back these 'top notch' cards with a 3yr warranty, only 2yrs. I have the Msi 290 Gaming, its quiet and cool, good looking and has 3yr warranty, better value in my opinion.

Strangely overclockers don't have the MSI 290 gaming listed anymore, just the MSI 290X gaming.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts, it's just down to me making a choice of the 290X Tri-X, MSI 290X GE (for the extra warranty) or a 780 like the MSI gaming and the Gainward Phantom for lower noise.

 

[teppic]

I was just asking this question myself. The 290 Vapor-X does look good, though it's annoyingly close in price to the 290X Tri-X.