Sapphire R9 290X Vapor-X TRI-X OC -vs- Sapphire R9 290X TRI-X OC

robbob_70 · Jun 23, 2014

Hi there,

After much reading and support from this forum:
I've decided to go for crossfire; R9 290X
However, i have really hit a brick wall… due to the amount of variants of the R9 290x.

My misunderstandings are:
*Is the Tri x version different from the normal 290x
*Then there's the, Sapphire version vs ;Sapphire vapor version,
*Then there's the Powercolor version and it's 'PCS'?
*Finally there are OC versions…
>
Just to make things mind boggling there are combinations of several of the above all at different prices.
------

So,

My understanding is that the best/most expensive, in order is:
1,)
Sapphire R9 290X Vapor-X TRI-X OC
(£439.98!) x1

2,)
PowerColor R9 290X PCS+
(£429.99)

3,)
Sapphire R9 290X TRI-X OC
(£399.99)

4,)
PowerColor R9 290X OC
(£359.99)

Now i really, do not know what to make of that.
For instance the highest priced one has: Vapor-X, TRI-X and is OC.
then number 2,) only has 'PCS' and no mention of anything that number 1,) boasts.
3,) has TRI-X + OC
4,) just has OC

so what to do??
i guess main stumbling blocks are;
*Is the Vapor-X necessary? - will you have heating issues if you don't get it..
*what is 'PCS' and why is it so expensive, and doesn't need the other 'perks'
*How much of a difference does OC make… and TRI-X for that matter…

They really made this one a head spinner

And my bank account is afraid..

Well thankyou so much to anyone who can help me out with these terminologies and their impact on the performance of these cards..

Rx

robbob_70 · Jun 23, 2014

Here's my Spec for the rest of the rig:

CPU - Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5 GHz
Motherboard - ASUS Z97 Pro
CPU Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Video Card - R9 290X (???)
Video Card - R9 290X (???)
RAM - Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB
SSD - Crucial M500 240GB
HDD - Western Digital Blue 1TB
Case - CM Storm Stryker – Full Tower
Power Supply - Seasonic M12II-850
Optical Drive - Samsung 24x SATA DVD RW

lfkfkfkffs · Jun 23, 2014

The tri-x will give tou better overall performance because cooling matters a loton r9 cards. A problem that people had with the stock cooler was that the vrms got to hot and then started unclocking the card to keep cool. For the best performance I would do a custom loop

robbob_70 · Jun 23, 2014

thanks lfkfkfkffs,
I thought it was the 'Vapor-X' that did the extra cooling?
i guess i don't really know what the TRI-X actually does.. - i thought it was … well i don't know

…

so the TRI-X also cools down the 290x? - so it compounds with the Vapor-X to make it an optimal temperature?
and where does the OC aspect come into play.. - does it drastically improve the card, but also the heat it produces… ?

and i really don't get that power color only having PCS+ and no vapor/Tri-x/vapor-x

R

lfkfkfkffs · Jun 23, 2014

The vapor will do more cooling

Embra · Jun 23, 2014

The vapor-x has slightly better cooling than the Trix-x. Both are very good versions of the 290x.

robbob_70 · Jun 23, 2014

Cheers,

the first one i listed, has both Tri-x and Vapor-x… + it's over clocked…
however it's also insanely expensive. (£439.98)

but the second sapphire card: just has Tri-x… + it's over clocked…
it's £40 cheaper… (£399.99)

is it worth getting the one with both the Tri-x and the Vapor-x… or is that somewhat pointless.?
if it's at all worthwhile i might as well, as i'm gonna be broke either way

here's the more expensive card:
http://www.ebuyer.com/640741-sapphire-r9-290x-vapor-x-tri-x-oc-version-4g-gddr5-dual-dvi-d-299-1e282-201sa

and the less:
http://www.ebuyer.com/613122-sapphire-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-version-4gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-displayport-11226-00-40g

Seeing as i'll be running them in crossfire, would that influence the choice of one over the other?

Thankyou,
Rx

Edit: lfkfkfkffs - i forgot to ask, what is a custom loop?

lfkfkfkffs · Jun 23, 2014

using water to cool the cards with a custom water cooling system.

Embra · Jun 23, 2014

robbob_70 :

Cheers,

the first one i listed, has both Tri-x and Vapor-x… + it's over clocked…
however it's also insanely expensive. (£439.98)

but the second sapphire card: just has Tri-x… + it's over clocked…
it's £40 cheaper… (£399.99)

is it worth getting the one with both the Tri-x and the Vapor-x… or is that somewhat pointless.?
if it's at all worthwhile i might as well, as i'm gonna be broke either way

here's the more expensive card:
http://www.ebuyer.com/640741-sapphire-r9-290x-vapor-x-tri-x-oc-version-4g-gddr5-dual-dvi-d-299-1e282-201sa

and the less:
http://www.ebuyer.com/613122-sapphire-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-version-4gb-gddr5-dual-dvi-hdmi-displayport-11226-00-40g

Seeing as i'll be running them in crossfire, would that influence the choice of one over the other?

Thankyou,
Rx

Edit: lfkfkfkffs - i forgot to ask, what is a custom loop?

At that price difference, I would get the cheaper Tri-X.

robbob_70 · Jun 23, 2014

Thankyou both!

So all the more expensive option has in advantage is more cooling?? with it's additional Vapor-X
They're both over clocked and have Tri-X..
It does seem a lot more money, i just wander what the point in it is..
would i run into any over-heating issues using the cheaper; OC, Tri-X one - In Crossfire?

would a water cooling system benefit the most expensive card? (seeing as it already has two cooling systems; Tri-X .+. Vapor-X)
Or would ditching both Tri-X and Vapor-x and just getting a 280x OC and a custom loop… be better??
i've always been interested in the idea of water-cooling systems.. but I've heard they're expensive and hard to set-up (although i'll be having someone help me set it up)

Embra · Jun 23, 2014

The Vapor-x is a little better cooling, The Trix-x still has very good cooling.
Make sure you have a good case that is well ventilated. (which would be true for either card.)

ohim · Jun 24, 2014

Get the Tri-x ,vapor-x is mostly marketing that i felt for it.

robbob_70 · Jun 24, 2014

..i know i'm a sucka too… i'll be getting two please

But some rationalisation went into it….: i could get a cheaper 290x without the cooling e.t.c. -> but then i might have to buy a cooler.

marketing got me good.

RX

robbob_70 · Jun 24, 2014

oh Embra, the case i'm getting is the; CM Storm Stryker – Full Tower .
Which has 4 fans in it!! and a 'mesh front' for constant airflow..
i think it's a good'un:
http://www.ebuyer.com/388851-cm-storm-stryker-case-sgc-5000w-kwn1

Embra · Jun 24, 2014

Should look pretty awesome when all put together.

ambientblue · Aug 29, 2014

this is obviously late but the vapor x has a custom pcb and higher grade components, will overclock better and do it more efficiently. Worth the extra money really when youre already going to the top end.

beefy143 · Oct 19, 2014

i recommend Sapphire Radeon R9 290X Vapor-X Tri-x OC as the Tri-x (3 fan heat sink) version is much better than the stock version of the card and the Vapor-X addition to the card IMHO is the reason you can even OC it in the first place with out thermal throttling also i for one would have better peace of mind buying a card from Sapphire rather than powercolor as Sapphire have a better reputation than powercolor.

Sapphire R9 290X Vapor-X TRI-X OC -vs- Sapphire R9 290X TRI-X OC

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