• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Choosing a 290: PCS+ vs MSI Gaming

MorgothPl

MorgothPl

MorgothPl

Associate
Joined
15 Sep 2009
Posts
28
Hi guys,
I'm trying to choose the 290 for me. Right now the choices are narrowed to two cards - MSI R9 Gaming or PCS+ Powercolor. At first was going for 290 Vapor-X, but the price is way too high, compared to other 290s. And yes, for someone outside Britain, the 60 pound difference between likes of PCS+ and Vapor-X is high.

So, which of those two you'd recommend?
 
MorgothPl said:
Hi guys,
I'm trying to choose the 290 for me. Right now the choices are narrowed to two cards - MSI R9 Gaming or PCS+ Powercolor. At first was going for 290 Vapor-X, but the price is way too high, compared to other 290s. And yes, for someone outside Britain, the 60 pound difference between likes of PCS+ and Vapor-X is high.

So, which of those two you'd recommend?
Click to expand...

Neither, get the 290 Tri X.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-348-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752
 
Running 2x msi 290s here very quite, great cooling both cards stay around 70c even in this hot summer.

Highly recommended.
Anymore questions do ask.
 
nitram100 said:
Why though? Is a slightly better cooler really worth an entire years warranty?
Click to expand...

It's debateable. For some the extra years warranty is better and i can fully understand that way of thinking. The cooling capacity is better on the Tri X though. After all, it has an extra fan.
 
Use different type but as Gibbo said don't mean there bad.
Even though these cards are a reference PCB, MSI have used a different VRM which does not seem quite as good as that found on AMD reference cards, but is by no means poor, as can be seen from the overclocks.

Where this cards excels, well the hint is in the name, its a truly superb card for gaming on, one or two in crossfire will give you a great experience and do so quietly with some stonking performance. This card really is a perfect choice for anyone gaming!
 
I have a MSI card and wish I went for the Sapphire 290 Tri X.
My card seems pretty cool during most games but the temps soar to about 85c when playing BF4.

Also you can pick up the Tri X a lot cheaper if you look about as I recently ordered one to crossfire with.
 
I also thought gibbo loved the PC+ card; as its custom pcb and robust. I've had powercolor pc+ cards in the past and they are solid....:)

Honestly out of those three; any will be good I'd pick most likely the cheapest one out of the bunch and be happy :)
 
PCS+ was pretty much the same as the Tri-x in terms of PCB and components. Cooler on the tri-x is longer while the PCS i believe takes up three PCI slots.

Reference PCB is tough as nails when it comes to over-volting, these VRMs can handle some impressive voltages if you are willing to put them to the test!
 
Hi there

Sapphire Tri-X is AMD Reference board if my memory serves me right with an excellent cooler which cools very well even in crossfire and can be both quiet but also loud if you so wish due to cooling power.

PCS+ is a custom PCB with uprated components, about on par with AMD reference PCB, the cooler is absolutely superb though, quiet and very powerful, maybe the most powerful, but if I remember right its bigger, 2.5 slot design.

MSI Gaming is a great card, but it lacks cooling power especially in crossfire configurations and if there is no gap between the card the master will throttle and over heat, an issue the PCS and Tri-X do not have. Other than that MSI is great and very quiet indeed, it just lacks all out cooling power due to being fitted with low rpm quiet fans which can't spin very fast.
 
Gibbo would you see any negative effect if I crossfired an MSI and a Sapphire card?
I originally bought the MSI but got a really good deal on the Sapphire so bought that as well hence the query.

Thanks
 
Put the Sapphire Tri X card as card one in Xfire as it has bigger cooling capacity. No negative effects should be seen at all.
 
Agreed with Gibbo.

Make sure if you ever thinking crossfire the Msi 290 you have enough space between them.

With my configuration I get single card temps, both sit around 70c.
Have the cooling or if you only want one card then the Msi is one stunning GPU, it's also very quite and I hear my case fans and h80i over it.

Spoiler OK? Sorry if not

IMAG0065.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom