The AMD R9 290 (non x) Thread

[Xcandyman]

Now that the r9 290x is finally released into the wild I thought a seperate thread about the r9 290 would be helpful for people who are interested in this card. To get things going what do people think the price point will be now that we know the pricing of the 290x is lower than most people think?

Do you think the 290 will beat the 780 or just be below it but undercut the price by a lot? I think the price for performance the 290 will be excellent and guessing it will be around the £340 mark

 

[Xcandyman]

Totally why I'm holding out for a 290. If a 780 comes around at a great price then I might be swayed due to the noise/heat. It's become very interesting now, Gibbo says he's ordered a 1000 of these I think compared to 300 290x's so I think he know's these will be a hot seller thanks to a good price point. Think he mentioned he thinks they'll be around the 350 mark in another thread.

Do you know if anythings been said about if people can preorder them? Will be good to see some benchmarks in the coming week as all we've heard about is the 290x so hopefully the 290 will get some leak love soon

 

[Xcandyman]

According to rumours yes. Gibbo has said it will be late next week so my guess is that it's the 31st. I feel another 5am start next week is on the cards. Wasn't planning on getting up this morning as didn't preorder but woke up naturally at 4:55am and thought 'what the hell' I'll have a peek

31st innit?

 

[Xcandyman]

I'm sure that'll be the 290 too. He stated earlier that when overclocked the 290 will beat the 290x at stock so anyone interested in the 290 those charts might be of interest

Gibbo did run the 290 also, its the one you cant see...
so yes

Spoiler

 

[Xcandyman]

It would need to be a significant price drop to compete with the 290. My guessing the 780 will drop to £400 at it's lowest giving a £50 gap between the two camps.

I don't think Nvidia has another card up it's sleeve other than the 780ti. It's all shaping up to be excellent for the consumer as prices are being shaken up (about time too).

So say this comes in at £350, is nvidia going to counter it with another card or a significant 780 price drop, or none of the above.

 

[Xcandyman]

Interesting.. None of the other 290's on Newegg mention anything about coolers. I'd be very surprised/giddy if the 290's will include third party coolers at launch. Gibbo are you able to share this nugget of information?

Look at this Newegg listing for the R9 290:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687

It says a Windforce cooler is used,so I wonder if the R9 290 will come with third party coolers from launch??

 

[Xcandyman]

That would be for the 290x. I HIGHLY doubt it would be any earlier for the 290. Think wishful thinking by people. I would've preferred not to have reference but if it comes at a great price (£350) and performs then I'm not going to wait. I sold my 6950 a while ago and desperate for a new card as running on integrated graphics at the minute lol.

It seems the reviewer on Hexus says late November:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-reviews/301181-reviews-amd-radeon-r9-290x-4.html#post3085313

 

[Xcandyman]

Originally Posted by Gibbo
**UPDATE**

Hynix and Elpida are both just as good as each other.

I took my Elpida card which could only do 5700MHz, flashed the Asus BIOS to it, pumped up the voltage and now the Elpida card is matching with 6600MHz.

So there you go, Elpida, Hynix, it don't matter. What matters is voltage control.

Asus BIOS FTW.

By the way this is an R290 I've flashed with R290X BIOS, works a tread, but shaders not unlocked, but can now hit 1220 core and 6600 RAM on the regular R290 as well. At these speeds this also obliverates Titan. Incredible value!

 

[Xcandyman]

Eeek! Now just release it for £350 or below plllllllleeeeeaaaassse

I've now got 290 Pro beating X, Titan and 780 HOF (1310MHz) in all the benchmarks I ran with Asus BIOS. EPIC Card!

 

[Xcandyman]

Photos and benchies released...

http://videocardz.com/47333/sapphire-radeon-r9-290-pictured-tested