TRI-X R9 290X 4GB OC vs. "New Edition"?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
AutoPsychotic

AutoPsychotic

Reputable
Apr 13, 2015
3
0
4,510
While doing research toward purchasing my first Sapphire R9 290X, I see there are two editions available of the 4GB TRI-X card, SKU ID: 11226-00 (Model# 100361-2SR) and SKU ID: 11226-16 (Model# 100361-4L).

The "New Edition" (henceforth referred to as the 4L) runs at 20MHz slower clock speed, and has 200MHz higher effective memory clock speed than the 2SR. Aside from that, the only technical/specification differences I can see are the 4L claims to support DirectX 12, whereas the 2SR does not, The 4L has 2x8 PCI-E power connectors, whereas the 2SR has 1x6 and 1x8 PCI-E power connectors, and only the 4L supports (or comes with) the Sapphire TriXX Utility software, not the 2SR.

So why the re-release? What (if anything) was wrong with the 2SR? Was there a glaring design flaw in the 2SR which has been fixed with the 4L or was there some hardware exploit on the 2SR for overclocking (which I fully intend to take advantage of) which is no longer possible on the 4L? Since both are still available for purchase at online e-tailers, which one should I get?
 
Solution
D
Ok, after looking at the newegg selling pages

The only *certain* reason I'd go with the more expensive "New Edition" would be the UEFI button. I guess that lets you do things in BIOS. But that seems like overkill to me?

Another thing that *might* justify the cost *could* be "EyeFinity" -- the cheaper version does NOT mention AMD Eyefinity (ie playing the game with three screens, all of them in a big picture). Reviewers did say they could use three monitors with it, but I'm not sure it was all three monitors sharing the game image.

If those things matter, I would call Sapphire or go to the Newegg sites and ask QA.

BUT for my dollar, the extra $40 (you can get the 2SR for 270 with rebate at newegg) is not worth it. Go with the basic...
Sort by date Sort by votes
D

dachiesa

Reputable
Dec 29, 2014
31
0
4,540
Ok, after looking at the newegg selling pages

The only *certain* reason I'd go with the more expensive "New Edition" would be the UEFI button. I guess that lets you do things in BIOS. But that seems like overkill to me?

Another thing that *might* justify the cost *could* be "EyeFinity" -- the cheaper version does NOT mention AMD Eyefinity (ie playing the game with three screens, all of them in a big picture). Reviewers did say they could use three monitors with it, but I'm not sure it was all three monitors sharing the game image.

If those things matter, I would call Sapphire or go to the Newegg sites and ask QA.

BUT for my dollar, the extra $40 (you can get the 2SR for 270 with rebate at newegg) is not worth it. Go with the basic (lol calling this basic, I would love this card) cheaper edition. The New Edition just gives a uefi button (your call if you want that), but I imagine it gives the same peformance with one less bell and whistle.

Ofc, if you want to make sure it supports AMD Eyefinity, that would be worth checking out. Makes no difference to me though.

Good luck! Either way you're gonna get a beast of a card.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
AutoPsychotic

AutoPsychotic

Reputable
Apr 13, 2015
3
0
4,510


Thanks for the well thought-out response. I'm glad to hear from someone else who put in the legwork to do some research.

It would be nice to get some kind of official confirmation from someone at Sapphire about the differences between the different models, though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
G

Gupsterg

Reputable
Apr 17, 2015
2
0
4,510
Sapphire_R9_290X_New_Edition-pcgh.png
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom