AMD Radeon R9 390: Gigabyte vs. MSI vs. Sapphire

Swiss_G4mer · Oct 29, 2015

Hey Guys

Which R9 390 should I take? All three GPUs costs the same.

Thanks in advance

Swiss_G4mer

gilbadon · Oct 29, 2015

FYI, I have the Gigabyte, it is plagued with a lot of issues. My first one came DOA, my second one runs pretty hot even with simple or older games. I would recommend the sapphire Nitro as it is the best R9 390.

Swiss_G4mer · Oct 29, 2015

gilbadon :

Thanks

RJMadCat · Oct 29, 2015

I also recommend the Sapphire R9 390. Nitro as it is the best R9 390.

This is the one I currently have.

andy_Man · Oct 29, 2015

I did a ton of research, and i went with the sapphire and haven't had any problems. The gigabyte one was 40$ cheaper but tons of bad reviews. The MSI one had lots of reviews about coil whine. (As did the XFX)

jkhoward · Oct 29, 2015

I don't have an issue with my Gigabyte card and was able to overclock it fairly high. I am told that you cannot voltage unlock it which is fine, I don't do hardcore overclocking anyways.

moonmoonmoonmoon · Oct 29, 2015

Choose the one with higher clocks

Embra · Oct 29, 2015

Sapphire>Gigabyte>MSI.

All are pretty good brands.. Sapphire is tops when considering AMD. They only more AMD.

belegCZE · Oct 30, 2015

Embra :

still not fully deciced myself, idk if its different from country to country, but Sapphire aint giving 3 years warranty here, tho Gigabyte and MSI offers it.
now i see there is new "Sapphire NITRO R9 390, 8GB with back plate" - does back plate makes any difference?

so thats real headache, one more year warranty or go for Sapphire

Embra · Oct 30, 2015

Back plate basically is for looks, especially if you have a windowed case. It can help keep dust from the top of card while installed.
Sapphire is and has been the best quality brand for AMD for years. All three are good brand. I My preference is Sapphire, especially when prices are close.

belegCZE · Oct 30, 2015

Embra :

ah i see, thnx for the info
(un)fortunately i got like one month more to decide, coz i7 6700k should be available at December - what a pain in the ...

RJMadCat · Oct 30, 2015

Backplate is also good to spread the heat, but this card does not have a heating problem, it has a small hot spot and buying an aftermarket backplate can not only healp with the hotspot, but it can look nice too.

However it is just a nice to have and not needed for this card

Sunny Kapoor · Oct 30, 2015

I am buying a sapphire r9 390 for 3D rendering by next week, will let you know how it works. I have heating problems here in India, trying to get more intake fans and then see how the heat works

SDS_ProPayne · Oct 31, 2015

RJMadCat :

I run a MSI R9-390 Gaming, stock 1040/1500, and my backplate keeps the card straight with no sag, looks nice to but its to support the card from bending due to power plugs.

RJMadCat · Nov 2, 2015

My R9 390 Sapphire without the backplate stays perfectly firm. No backplate needed for the sapphire if you are worried about bending. As for the MSI, I take your word for it

Sunny Kapoor · Nov 2, 2015

RJMadCat :

I was more concerned about cooling, as it was mentioned in another post that back plate has thermal pads which helps in cooling of VRMs.

RJMadCat · Nov 2, 2015

Hi Sunny,

sorry my replay was more aimed at SDS_ProPayne about bending aspect.
In your case a backplate can definitely be useful, but what is more usefull is getting the correct air pressure inside your case.
I suggest reading this article, It gives a very nice overview of negative and positive airflow, and for someone where the temperatures are high this is very important.

I use to live in South Africa, so I also do understand temperatures can get pretty high, which is why case cooling is so vital.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-1858957/airflow-101-setting-fans-keeping-computer-cool.html

Sunny Kapoor · Nov 2, 2015

RJMadCat :

Hi Sunny,

sorry my replay was more aimed at SDS_ProPayne about bending aspect.
In your case a backplate can definitely be useful, but what is more usefull is getting the correct air pressure inside your case.
I suggest reading this article, It gives a very nice overview of negative and positive airflow, and for someone where the temperatures are high this is very important.

I use to live in South Africa, so I also do understand temperatures can get pretty high, which is why case cooling is so vital.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-1858957/airflow-101-setting-fans-keeping-computer-cool.html

Thanks I will keep this in mind.

maxzaxe · Nov 22, 2015

Sunny Kapoor :

You will not see a lot of difference by upgrading to the ne CPU if you look at the specs. you are basically buying for upgrades sake! I've water cooled I live in Us. Fl. a hot & humid environment and water cooling has fixed all my heat troubles.

maxzaxe · Nov 22, 2015

Water cooling fixes all heat related problems!

Sunny Kapoor · Nov 22, 2015

maxzaxe :

Cannot seem to find water cooling for GPU here in India. I have fixed my CPU with a cooler master seidon 120v+ and the temps are way down.

Bought a saphire R9 390 and it is working at idle 30 degrees and 65 degrees when running 3D mark.

Normal games and rendering temp only goes up to 55 degrees.

TechGuruGames · Dec 29, 2015

Gigabyte doesnt make the best quality video cards. MSI makes good quality GPUs but only Twin Frozr V is to be trusted. In this case the MSI R9 390 is twin frozr v design. So choose between the MSI and the Sapphire R9 390. Personally I think Sapphire is the best AMD Card manufacturer as long as the nitro coolers are the best out of all other manufactuers' coolers.

TechGuruGames · Dec 29, 2015

There is no need for GPU watercooling as long as the nitro coolers are very good and keep the video card running less than 60 deegres. Only CPU watercooling is important. Also the sapphire r9 390 cant be watercooled

AMD Radeon R9 390: Gigabyte vs. MSI vs. Sapphire

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