R9 290x reference vs 290 non-reference

[cilllitbang]

After just picking up the R9 290X reference I have since read a lot of people commenting on how hot and loud the card runs. I was wondering if a better option would be to send back the 290x which I have yet to open, and opt instead for the 290 PCS+ which currently sits at the same price (£209) or if any other non reference variation is perhaps better?

 

[almighty15]

Save up and buy an aftermarket cooler?

 

[r7slayer]

After just picking up the R9 290X reference I have since read a lot of people commenting on how hot and loud the card runs. I was wondering if a better option would be to send back the 290x which I have yet to open, and opt instead for the 290 PCS+ which currently sits at the same price (£209) or if any other non reference variation is perhaps better?

if your able to just send back and get the 290 PCS+ no problem then yea i would do that over the reference. You can easily overclock the 290 PCS to a 290X level of performance and it would remain cooler and quieter than the 290x reference card. So yea its worth it.

 

[snips86x]

I'm running a reference 290 and have no issues what so ever. Make sure you have some decent ventilation in your case and setup a custom fan profile.

Mine runs at 947/1250 and 80c ish in BF4 at 60% fan speed, its not as bad as it sounds.

 

[Uncle Petey]

Personally, I'd swap it for a PCS+.

 

[old gamer]

i would swap it for the pcs+ also, i have used both in the past and the powercolor matched the 290x with the out of the box speeds and infact overclock higher

 

[LtMatt]

I'd keep the 290X, I've yet to see any 290P AIB card topple one of my air cooled reference 290X cards in the bench threads. However if you don't like the reference cooler and higher running temps then it would be sensible to switch.

 

[Martini1991]

I'd keep the 290X, I've yet to see any 290P AIB card topple one of my air cooled reference 290X cards in the bench threads. However if you don't like the reference cooler and higher running temps then it would be sensible to switch.

Benches aren't really all that applicable to real world though, given the shortness of a bench to sustained gaming.

 

[almighty15]

With the new rules to returning products he might not actually be able to have the money to swap it.

 

[D1craig]

With the new rules to returning products he might not actually be able to have the money to swap it.

if it is unopened he will be able to. not like he has said "its not a good clocker so im sending it back".

 

[Doogles]

With the new rules to returning products he might not actually be able to have the money to swap it.

He should still be able to. I'd switch it for a non reference R9 290 because I got ****** off with the reference cooler and I was using closed headphones.