AMD Radeon R9 295X2 Owners Thread

[Panos]

I have raised an RMA request for my 295x2, GPU2 is still hitting 75C (and throttling) within 3 minutes of playing a game despite upgrading the case fans and fiddling with the rad position.

I was playing Crysis 2 at 1440p yesterday (Ultra/DX11). With the Rivatuna OSD I could see GPU2 throttling down to 750Mhz at times!

They said they need to test it before they can replace it, which I understand.

I'm concerned they test faulty components in open systems though (to make swapping things in and out quickly, whilst testing) and it GPU2 might not overheat in that sort of environment so I made the point that I already beefed up my case fans to eliminate airflow/environment issues.

I believe your cooling has genuine issues. My GPU2 is running cooler than the GPU1 by 6C constantly. So something else might be the case with yours if they have the same plumbing.

However, have you tried to put the rad on outside the case and see if it continues to behave like that?

 

[Panos]

I've already called Overclockers, DPD will collect it tomorrow and the guy on the phone assured me it's tested in a closed case environment.

They have replacements in stock as well (phew!)

Yeah OCUK are pretty good on those things.

However stock availability is something that scares me off, and I would live with the rad scratching few seconds, every few hours. The card goes for waterblock either way some time, and is a good card.

 

[Panos]

No, the fan is actually only 2 pin (3 pin sized) and draws power from the graphics card.

I bought a Akasa ripper 120mm to replace the stock fan (to see if I could solve my heat issue) and because that is 4 pin I had to plug it in to my motherboard and whack the RPM up to full (1950rpm) which was pretty loud.

It didn't do anything, so I put the old fan back on and plugged it back in via the card.

The fan you plug on the motherboard can be controlled by BIOS, controller (additional device) and if your motherboard allows it an application.

My motherboard allows to change the fan speed using the SpeedFan application.

So try to set the Piranha @60-70% fan speed and see the results. Unfortunately I have to wait for the cable extensions to try mine again

 

[Panos]

Finally got it installed

Spoiler

Im a bit of a AMD noob. Other than CCC is there anything else I need to do/install??

Congratulations
And you solved the problem some got with the temperatures by getting cold air in, thinking out of the box

You do not need anything else other than the 14.8 drivers and you will be fine

Btw that is a great monitor, and feel pretty bad having only a 1080p The card is asleep on most games. (TESO, TW R2)

--------------------------------

Btw, I played little with the overclock tonight since I was in the mood and to compare it with the fans that will arrive sometime this or next week. (apparently the base bracket is out of stock)

And the results are staggering

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26910195&postcount=2230

However I do not get my CPU. When I put the GPU did a BIOS reset to clean up everything. Since then it refuses to get even to 4900 no matter 5000, which run for 9 months.

However when I plug the 780, it goes happily to 5000 with the same settings I have saved. Is it maybe because the graphic card draws more power from the motherboard? Shouldn't be an issue I believe. And have replaced the PSU with a Superflower 1000W. (btw fantastic PSU even if pretty big).

Any thoughts?

 

[Panos]

I hope we're not all being fools going for this card so close to release of the new nVidia cards.

Regardless what Nvidia or AMD pull out on the next gen, still going to need 2 graphic cards to beat this one.

Even the rumoured 390X, cannot beat it. Possibly some time late 2016 going to have a single card that could be in par of this one when the 16nm process is on.

Not at 28nm process nor at 20nm process. By that time we will be able to grab 290X on the cheap for tri-fire setups..

However, since I plan to buy an ultrawide curved monitor and not a 4K, it will hold very well for many years to come.

 

[Panos]

Glad your all enjoying them, can't believe how fast they selling, 25 today alone!

It is an amazing card, that we still haven't explored fully.

And is so quiet, even when overclocked playing games for hours at 100% load.
(Tomb Raider for example)

Only with full blown watercooling system can someone have that experience of a simple hummmm at around 40db and not a series of fans screaming at 60-70db as usually is the case for the high end cards.

I believe the price of 699 was a steal and the best bargain of a graphic card since ever. Even at initial price of 1000, considering the cost and hassle of trying to watercool two 290x was a bargain. And any reviews of the card didn't made it true justice.

(and I stop here because started sounding like LtMatt)

 

[Panos]

That's what I'm dealing with currently, 2 much louder cards, would much prefer a single 295x2 if its as quiet as you say

If you do not take my word about how quiet it is, ask the others here who have the card with the stock fan.

 

[Panos]

Got my replacement card today. Fingers crossed this one actually generates some video output!

Kudos to OCUK for such great support with this issue. I've got a Graphite 780T case winging its way towards me now, can't wait to see how it will look.

I am out for a new case soon. I would like to know your opinion please.

 

[Panos]

No wonder they didn't sell a lot of these cards because there s***, I am highly disgusted these ever cost £1000+. After a week now of tinkering and giving it the benefit of the doubt I am just plain amazed.

Even with -60mv it artifacts/throttles in a game after 10-15minutes, only way I can get it to not happen is have the graphic settings very low (the logic!).

Loxa, what model are your fans?
Have you tried to turn the flow of air on the rad from out in?

 

[Panos]

AMD stated it should be used as a exhaust so you would expect that to perform adequately.

Airflow: 37.85 CFM
Static Pressure: 1.29 mm/H20

The fans you are using are well bellow of the stock fan rating. No wonder the issues. You need at least 2.5mm H2O pressure and 50 CFM.

Try the stock fan on it's own, both as exhaust and as intake.

 

[Panos]

Had a little play with it last night and managed to get similar numbers on Valley compared to Panini, im not sure if my Heaven score is good or not :/ Similar settings to Panini as well except I havent messed with the core clock 1030/1600 -50mv 50%PL

I do have to knock those settings down though for it to be stable in 4k gaming. but my god it looks impressive. Ive only tried Rome TW2 so far but it looks beautiful xxx the only thing though is the UI/HUD is flipping tiny i have to move my head to zoom in on the text :/ hope CA fix this soon.

Will try BF4 and Titanfall later but so far im impressed. Also im gonna try a different rad position to the front see if that helps

Yeah. Rome 2 is absolute blast. No more slideshow on battles.

First of all use the Catalyst 14.8. You will get a nice boost on performance.

At 1030/1625 with -60mV 50% PL I get 5100 on Valley.
At 1133/1625 with 0mV, 50% PL heheh 5405 on Valley
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26910195&postcount=2230
(stock fan with cold air flowing at it)

With 1135/1625 0mV 50% PL is the max I will get before the card start dodging the 70C mark.

I keep the card at 1030/1625 with -60mV also for gaming atm.

 

[Panos]

Heh, I never really checked my idle temperatures.

I mean, I think they must have been 50°C ish because when I started a game Rivatuner would always start them at at low 50's.

Just googled "295x2 idle temperatures" and the HARDOCP review stated their idle temps were about 35°C?! Is that about right?

I do have two screens though and I think the memory stays fully clocked if a 2nd screen is detected? That might be why the idle's were higher.

With the stock fan, my idle temps are 33 and 28 respectively.
Under load, while benching last night at 1133/1625 the max temps 67/61 and climbed that high only near the end of the benchmark. (by scene 10, the temps are below the 60C mark). That at 0mV with 50 PL.


At 1030/1625 with -60mV the full load temps are 60/56 respectively.

As an indication, while playing Rome 2 for 3 hours (not stressing cores etc, ultra settings with ultra units etc) the temps are at 55/50.

Again all the above with stock fan, and fresh air towards the rad.

 

[Panos]

The SP120 fans are not quiet, is 35db fan.
Piranhas are at 27.2db and to get them to the same noise level as the stock fan needs to be at 75%-80% speed.

Anyhow.

My advice is do what ever it takes to make the card run cool. The cooler the card works the better the performance, before overclocks etc.

Here is my result for running the card with -75mV 50% PL at 1018/1625 (stock core). Still stock fan blowing cold air on the rad. (just took the bench).

Max temps while benching above 59/54. Normal idle tempts 33/29.

Spoiler

Here is the card while at 0mV 50% PL at 1030/1625 with the fan case air on the rad.

Spoiler

That is 700 points hit.


Again here is the card with +10mV 50% PL at 1135/1625 with the fan blowing warm air (one of the first runs I had with the card) and at the wrong position the radiator.

Spoiler

Here is similar overclock with 0mV 50% at 1135/1625 with the fan blowing cold air on the rad, and at the correct position.

Spoiler

 

[Panos]

Bought this to go with my builds scheme and I like a quiet running system (i.e quiet series), but I have had to make another purchase for a high performance fan. Honestly I am scared because the stock fan was loud already.

Maybe you could try to put a Piranha to blow cold air on the rad? It will be hidden and behind the rad at all time. Is shame their price is back again.

Like here
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26910221&postcount=401

 

[Panos]

There are many threads about the HX1000W, some dated back in May this year with someone who had issues with the 295X2.




That is the spec of the HX1000W.

You need to make sure (and I mean absolute sure) the cables that you connect to the card are from the two different rails. And still pray that it will work.

Is not the typical single rail design where any cable will go and the power will be supplied.

After all is 6 years old PSU.
Back in 2008 we needed around 18A max for cards that were using around 230W (4870 and GTX280 comes to mind) while mainstream was the 9800GTX which had 12A and 140W or something close to that.

The 295X2 needs 40A and 500W. And if Gibbo says a 6 year old dual rail is not enough, I will take his word. I have a Corsair 700W and I could have easily plug the 295X2. But was dual rail and I knew that going to have problems with it. Hence I bought a Superflower 1000W.

 

[Panos]

Panos, thanks for your reply. I'm happy to concede it is time to replace my ageing and dearly beloved PSU. I'm contemplating a 'Be Quiet! 1000W Powerzone 80 Plus Bronze' as a replacement. That should be ok, right?

Hi. yeah I had to give up my 750W Corsair also

I do not know that brand (Be Quiet). So could be anything unfortunately.

However depending what is the rest of your items any Superflower 850W and above it will do. (if you do not plan to run tri-fire).

I would have said buy the Superflower 1000W gold (£140), because is really good and same as I got, however is not in stock.
Next one up is at @150 the 1000W Platinum or the 1300W Gold!!

However if you are on strict budget, if I was you I would have bought this
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-019-SF

As least we know it will work since is gives [email protected].

But just in case, raise a question to OCUK for Gibbo tomorrow morning early, make an order and see if you can have it for Friday.

Alternative options that I do not know, but others can give us some light are

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-156-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2465
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-102-NX&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2465
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-003-EA&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2465

 

[Panos]

Quick question will this card be better for 4K than 2X 290X's due to the memory?

No differences there. The benefit of the 295X2 is the watercooler which if setup and is working properly, will make the system quiet compared to having two aircooled cards.

Did you guys manage to sort this problem out, I have a H440 and thinking of changing my CF290X's to a 295X due to throttling issues, I dont mind gaming with the front panel off as I do now but I still throttle at times, I dont want this with the 295X.

As long as you can get cold air to the 295X2 radiator, it will be fine. Hence I advice all the time to try fit it so it can push cold air from outside, instead using it as an exhaust.

Again here is a brilliant idea if you cannot fit it on the front panel (has to be higher than the card to work)

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=26910221&postcount=401

 

[Panos]

What is the consensus on Push Pull?

i found it strange that the setup of the radiator was expel the hot air although the air in your case might be hot..

think an un-optimized indie steam game has got me paranoid due to the card throttling during the game

thoughts?

If you mean the fan flow. Push.
You need pretty high static pressure fan to be efficient on pulling air, and the stock fan doesn't provide that high numbers needed.

Divine Pain is using the fan in PUSH config.

And is always better to push cold air through the rad than warm air. Regardless of where that is positioned.
------------------------------------

As for PUSH-PULL I will let you know tonight how the system will perform with
a) Stock fan push
b) Piranha (1) push
c) Piranha (2) Push-Pull

Amended the order and the brackets will arrive next week, so all cabling is here to fit the fans and filters

 

[Panos]

Guys, if your card is throttling its most likely down to inadequate cooling! I don't think push+pull will make much difference, yes maybe 1 or 2c but is it worth with more fans=noise? I dont think so imo. Watercooling is the way forward if you want the best out of these cards.

I mounted my rad in the front now, same as TTL when he had the 295x2 in his test setup. not much change in temps but the tubes going off to the right just looks better to me.

For those with a H440, if you have a thick rad mounted in the roof and plan to mount the 295x2 rad in the rear, you might have some difficulty fitting in there. Other option for you is to mount it on the front I guess.

Yeah.

I have my H100i on the front, and because my case is left sided, the 295x2 rad has to live on top of the case
(until I buy new case, since that is 10 years old gift).

However possibly because of having it on cold air flow, that is why I do not have temp issues since I placed the rad according to the instructions (higher than the card).

 

[Panos]

why dont you buy an In Win D frame then you'll have no problems with cooling at all... but you'd better save loads of dosh, i think they look awesome

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-033-IW&groupid=2362&catid=2293

I was looking some of the big towers of the InWin series, and they do look really nice for watercooling.

One of them supports almost 5 rads with some modifications.
And still plenty of space in there....