Does the MSI R9 290 Gaming 4G still have problems in crossfire?

1kca · Jun 1, 2014

So I have an MSI R9 290 and I had an opportunity to get a second one for reasonably good price but I hesitated because I saw a few people saying the MSI R9 290 specifically had quite serious top card temp issues when you put two of them together.

Just wondering if this is still the case? And if so, is there another R9 290 that anyone would recommend to pair with my current one.

I should say that I'm not really looking at the Sapphire Tri-X for a few reasons including price

If it helps at all, I have a Fractal R4 with a window so no side vent, two 140mm stock fans as front intake and two Corsair 140mm AF fans on the rear and top rear as exhaust.
The top HDD drive cage has been removed for better air flow.

i7Baby · Jun 1, 2014

Any R9 290 with an aftermarket cooler runs at much lower temperatures than the first R9 290's that had 'reference' coolers.

As long as there is enough room in your case, I don't think there will be heat problems.

1kca · Jun 1, 2014

i7Baby :

Thanks for your reply, and while that's true that the non-reference ones run cooler than the reference, the issue isn't with 290s as a whole; just with the MSI one specifically.

I've read that two of the MSI ones won't run as well as two XFX ones for example, in the same setup.

i7Baby · Jun 1, 2014

There are some differences between custom cards. Sapphire seems to be the best brand for most of Radeon cards.

But I don't think there is that much difference - in temps at least. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-290-and-290x,3728-6.html

Also, the top card in your case gets a bit more heat from the bottom card.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

With an R9 290 crossfire setup, Sapphire/Asus/XFX and Gigabyte as listed as the "main suppliers", don't have any issues in crossfire setups currently for the R9 290 series chips.

In crossfire, if you can, It is best to have a GPU in slots 1 and 3, as the temps are far cooler for the top card. If they are a hairline apart, expect the top GPU to be very hot, even with a custom cooler.

1kca · Jun 1, 2014

That link was interesting. You're right that there doesn't seem to be a massive difference in temps. It also says that the cooler for the Asus card was meant for the 780 so there are issues there.

So what I'm gathering is that really, I should be fine with two MSI 290s as long as there is a good amount of spacing between them and there is generally good airflow in my case?
Otherwise, I should go for the Sapphire or possibly XFX?

Would you suggest I upgrade the intake fans to two that can move more air?

i7Baby · Jun 1, 2014

Yep - you're catching on. I'd byuy Sapphire if I was buying Radeon.

Extra case fans is a good idea with a R4. They aren't real big cases.

1kca · Jun 1, 2014

Alright, thank you both for your help - problem solved

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Does the MSI R9 290 Gaming 4G still have problems in crossfire?

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