XFX R9 290 Core edition (Reference model), Yes or no?

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty H97 Performance ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($97.90 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($51.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $544.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

This is the build I want to buy the graphics card for but It's a reference model. It's a refurbished model sold for quite a low price but by a good company and with warranty.

Now is cooler a poor one as it is a reference model, and should I avoid it? I live in Europe, the price for it is 175 euros while the GTX 960 GAMING 2G (What I was initially going for), is 210 euros.

Should I go for a R9 290 with better coolers, or is this one alright?

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-15 14:58 EST-0500

coolcole01 · Feb 15, 2015

cooling is very poor i would try to avoid if i could how much is a used custom cooled 290 where you are

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

coolcole01 :

Reference model used:
http://tweakers.net/aanbod/734239/xfx-r9-290-4gb-core-edition.html

New model (no cheaper used one)
http://www.alternate.nl/ASUS/R9290-DC2OC-4GD5-grafische-kaart/html/product/1122145?tk=13278&lk=13309

That's the difference, 90 euros. I can't pay more than 220 euros. Should I just go for a GTX 960 GAMING 2G then which costs 210 euros? I know there is a gap in performance.

Sintruder · Feb 15, 2015

i would go with the 290 because the performance gap is simply huge

coolcole01 · Feb 15, 2015

i guess it depends for the money you could get the reference and add a custom cooler later if its getting to hot. but its way better than that 960

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

Sintruder :

The reference model is 8 months old and has warranty until december 2015. Can such a card give me problems regarding overheating in short-term? I love the look and design of the reference card, probably the performance aswell but I simply wonder about the heat and noise It's going to produce.

Sintruder · Feb 15, 2015

RCFProd :

the noise is definitely loud but judging from this video its not that bad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwRWi3Bz0qc. and yes it can last you for two more years as long as you dont overclock it and how the card was previously used.

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

Thanks for your opinions. Alternative option is the Sapphire version of the reference card:
http://tweakers.net/aanbod/731270/sapphire-r9-290-4gb-gddr5.html

From a couple of reviews I read the XFX seems to come out as the better one.

Sintruder · Feb 15, 2015

RCFProd :

yeah but i would suggest you to check which card is in better condition as the performance difference is negligible

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

Sintruder :

If I manage to get this brilliant looking card Im going to buy 2 NZXT 140mm cooler fans to get a better air flow. It looks pretty good, I hope there are still some availiable. I contacted the seller. Might get a Cryorig H7 CPU cooler afterwards.

Sintruder · Feb 15, 2015

RCFProd :

Sintruder :

If I manage to get this brilliant looking card Im going to buy 2 NZXT 140mm cooler fans to get a better air flow. It looks pretty good, I hope there are still some availiable. I contacted the seller. Might get a Cryorig H7 CPU cooler afterwards.

that will be great and you can always add a custom cooler to the graphics card to keep it cool and im also planning to get an r9 290 (xfx or club3d) but with a custom cooler

RCFProd · Feb 15, 2015

Sintruder :

RCFProd :

that will be great and you can always add a custom cooler to the graphics card to keep it cool and im also planning to get an r9 290 (xfx or club3d) but with a custom cooler

Good luck, hopefully you can get it for a similar price.

Search

XFX R9 290 Core edition (Reference model), Yes or no?

RCFProd

Expert

Sintruder

coolcole01

Splendid

RCFProd

Expert

Sintruder

Reputable

coolcole01

Splendid

RCFProd

Expert

Sintruder

Reputable

RCFProd

Expert

Sintruder

Reputable

RCFProd

Expert

Sintruder

Reputable

RCFProd

Expert

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page