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R9 280x or R9 290

Phil2008

Phil2008

Phil2008

Soldato
Joined
17 Dec 2004
Posts
8,726
I can get a 280x for just under £200 and the 290 for about £330, but how much speed increase is the 290 over the 280x and is it worth spending over £100 more for the 290?
 
I think there's a speed increase of around 20% (15 - 25%). I haven't used a 290, so it's probably best to hear from those that have made the jump from a 280X / 7970. :)
 
The jump is roughly 20-25%. The 290 maxes out all current games at 1080p. With the 280x its possible you won't be able to set all details to Ultra in all games. I personally barely notice the difference between Ultra at max and Ultra with a few settings toned down a bit.
 
Either card will give you a noticeable jump from your 6950, but I'd have to recommend a 290 if you can stretch to it.

I wouldn't say a 290 is overkill at 1080p. Not in the slightest.
 
I might go down the ebay route for a change, as I can get a msi 290 with the 1 fan blower version for about £200 instead of £330 new, but the problem is, do you trust what ppl put,,, ummmmmmm?
 
thefogo said:
If you're going with a single card I would really recommend a 290 with a custom cooler instead.
Click to expand...

I have had a look at a review for the msi 290 with the 1 fan and they say..... in the 20s idle and 80s load, can I get a better 1 fan cooler and are they easy to install?

If I dont get the 290, I will prob go for the XFX 280x or the 285 thats out in a few weeks. With the XFX 280x I have read that the temps are really low on that.
 
Phil2008 said:
I have had a look at a review for the msi 290 with the 1 fan and they say..... in the 20s idle and 80s load, can I get a better 1 fan cooler and are they easy to install?

If I dont get the 290, I will prob go for the XFX 280x or the 285 thats out in a few weeks. With the XFX 280x I have read that the temps are really low on that.
Click to expand...

Which one? The MSI cards have two fans.
 
I have just ordered a brand new 290, im well chuffed, as this is my first high end gpu I have bought, and should last me a good few years hopefully. I have ordered this too,, does anyone know when its in stock? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-061-BX&groupid=1929&catid=2221

thefogo said:
Which one? The MSI cards have two fans.
Click to expand...

This is the card I have ordered, so the fan is well away from my pcie x1 slot , thats the next one down from the graphics card

AMD_Radeon_R9_290_X_31_1067x1000.jpg
 
That's the reference model. It runs pretty hot and loud.
Not sure what you mean about the fans, it's the same amount of slots as most other 290s so it doesn't matter.
 
thefogo said:
That's the reference model. It runs pretty hot and loud.
Not sure what you mean about the fans, it's the same amount of slots as most other 290s so it doesn't matter.
Click to expand...

The 6950 I have at the moment is a 1 fan blower card, the same as the 290 so Im hoping it will run as cool (38c idle, 75c load). This is what I mean about the slot problem. see how far the fan is away from the slot.....

Image2.jpg
 
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