** SAPPHIRE R290 PRO REVIEW & 1000+ IN STOCK!! **

[Rusty0611]

It's a nice idea but as I said, the boosts work differently .

And the effects of the boost are often massively overstated anyway. 13 MHz here or there really isn't going to affect FPS results that much if at all.

 

[TropicLightning]

I scanned this thread and didn't see any mention, so, Tom's Hardware states the Accelero Xtreme III will fit the 290 with minor tweaking, a guide coming soon.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-290-review-benchmark,3659-19.html

So, with the MK26, that's at least two options for those who don't mind open air coolers.

 

[Martini1991]

May have to WC mine.

GF's currently playing batman at 1366x768 on my i5's HD4600 lol, runs surprisingly well.

Can't wait for tomorrow.

 

[Uncle Petey]

I scanned this thread and didn't see any mention, so, Tom's Hardware states the Accelero Xtreme III will fit the 290 with minor tweaking, a guide coming soon.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-290-review-benchmark,3659-19.html

So, with the MK26, that's at least two options for those who don't mind open air coolers.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=25220355&postcount=33

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=25235848&postcount=71

 

[TropicLightning]

I'm guessing that 'ChristmasGT' was using PWM mode if AB was controlling the fan speed, and that was causing his problems.

I have heard PWM controller/fans make noise when operated too slow. I suspect that is what he was hearing, as his noise was at low load/fan speed before AB turned the fans up. I have never heard 'coil whine' at low loads like this.

He also never stated the VRM temps, just that he thought they were making noise, unless I've missed something.

Tom's Hardware had other issues (VRM temp) when using PWM mode, but caused by a similiar issue (too low a fan speed under PWM) and is why they used fixed fan speeds of 7&12V taking PWM out of the equation altogether.

May have made a difference for 'ChristmasGT' issue too. I guess we'll have to wait and see Tom's guide.

 

[trigger-happy]

1k+ in-stock? lies. Make obligatory tech castle.

 

[Uncle Petey]

Perhaps, but Accelero's have never been much good at VRM cooling tbh.

 

[TropicLightning]

Yes, I'd much prefer to see all of the components actively cooled by a plate/common HS.

 

[Defiant306]

Same issue as the 290x, please will someone think of keeping the children (GPU's) cool!

WTB properly cooled cards already!!!

until then I await still, ever still....

Like stone still.





or maybe marble, not sure. Hmmm granite maybe.

 

[sin]

Hi

Would a XFX PRO850W Core Edition Power Supply be able to run 2 290s and this
i7 3770k 4.2
thermaltake water 2.0
2 hard drives
16gb ram
4 120mm fans
2 80mm fans?
On review sites It says It can go over 900w

 

[sin]

http://products.xfxforce.com/en-gb/Power_Supplies/ProSeries_850W_PSU/P1-850S-UKB9


Load Range

-12V (mW) : 120

+12V1 (mW) : 120

+3.3V (mV) : 50

+5V (mV) : 50

+5VSB (mV) : 50

Max -12V Output Current (A) : 0.5

Max +12V1 Output Current (A) : 70

Max +3.3V Output Current (A) : 25

Max +5V Output Current (A) : 25

Max +5VSB Output Current (A) : 3

Min +12V1 Output Current (A) : 0.6

Wattage(W) : 850W

 

[funt]

definitely buying one in the next 3-5 days, titan performance at a fraction of the cost!

They all look exactly the same so which one do i buy? Will the ones with after market coolers cost more?

 

[Orangey]

apples

oranges

 

[ubersonic]

So basically to sum it up:

Pros
£65 cheaper than GTX780
Slight performance advantage out of the box
More overclocking headroom (especially with an aftermarket cooler and a BIOS flash)

Cons
Noise
Heat
R290 non X + aftermarket cooler does cost more than a Windforce GTX780 (but the R290 non X will OC more).

All in all I think it's a great bargain if you can live/cope with the sacrifices made to hit the price point.

 

[Defiant306]

Hi

Would a XFX PRO850W Core Edition Power Supply be able to run 2 290s and this
i7 3770k 4.2
thermaltake water 2.0
2 hard drives
16gb ram
4 120mm fans
2 80mm fans?
On review sites It says It can go over 900w

350 Watts per card according to another review site

About 140-150 Watts for your other items in the system as your overclocked, not sure if XFX PSU's are all that good as I have no experience of the brand.

But I wouldn't run X-Fire 290's even with my Corsair 750 Watt PSU on your system spec

 

[Krait]

So basically to sum it up:

Pros
£65 cheaper than GTX780
Slight performance advantage out of the box
More overclocking headroom (especially with an aftermarket cooler and a BIOS flash)

Cons
Noise
Heat
R290 non X + aftermarket cooler does cost more than a Windforce GTX780 (but the R290 non X will OC more).

All in all I think it's a great bargain if you can live/cope with the sacrifices made to hit the price point.

You can get an Accelero Extreme III for £50.00. This will also cancel the noise and heat issues.
So no cons really

 

[LtMatt]

Also its £70 cheaper than the cheapest 780 on ocuk.

 

[ubersonic]

You can get an Accelero Extreme III for £50.00. This will also cancel the noise and heat issues.
So no cons really

Very good point, hadn't considered that one (was looking at MK26 and Accelero hybirds). So for £15 less than the GTX780 it beats it in pretty much every area, rokc on

Also its £70 cheaper than the cheapest 780 on ocuk.

*£65 (The £320 Sapphire was a one day only launch special).

 

[oap]

Arrived and installed, will play some games after werk later, receipt confirms the silver+bronze rewards tickets but where do I get the 12 digit unique coupon codes from?
Nice Haribo's

 

[elmuzzy66.]

Have there been any tests done with mobo with x4 pcie lane for crossfire? I wonder if there will be a performance hit now that the bridge is gone?