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Started by FunkyFeatures | | 13 answers
Which r9 290 non reference?
I am not sure right now, but i think i will go with a r9 290 graphics card in my build. I just don't know what cooler to pick.

I am hoping for low noise and reasonable temps.

I will not be going with msi lightning edition or something else crazy edition thing because it is pricier.

From this video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjwX7v3keo (at around 11:00 she begins testing temp/noise/fan speeds)
It looks like asus r9 290 quiet mode is the way to go, even though it has higher temps.
Is anything quieter than that? And i do know about the heatpipes not touching and so on.

Thanks in advance!
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Best solution chosen by ErVivek

a b U Graphics card
April 27, 2014 8:14:07 AM

Take the sapphire tri-x, the asus directcu II r9 290 card has poor heatpipe contact because the cooler on it is actually designed for the GK110 from nvidia, that causes it to overheat easily + the tri-x is generally regarded as the best r9 290.
April 27, 2014 4:14:18 AM

I am picking between the Sapphire Tri-x R9 290 and the Asus directcu II r9 290.
Can anyone give me an opinion? I am reading different forum posts, and they are mixed.

Current flaws on them
Asus - Heatpipes not making proper contact
Tri-x - Reference vrm - possibly worse overclocks and vrm temps
April 27, 2014 12:14:25 AM

I know the asus doesnt make proper contact, but even though it doesnt, it is still quiet in quiet mode(20% fan speed)
April 26, 2014 1:12:52 PM

FunkyFeatures said:
Yea, saw a review of the msi r9 280x. It was louder than reference because of bad vrm temps. So loud.
I think i am choosing between the tri x cooler, and the asus directcu.


asus directcu is not ment for these chips, I heard that the heat sinks were not even fully touching the gpu. Asus just slapped on the cooler not caring about what would happen.
April 26, 2014 11:38:23 AM

Yea, saw a review of the msi r9 280x. It was louder than reference because of bad vrm temps. So loud.
I think i am choosing between the tri x cooler, and the asus directcu.
April 26, 2014 9:28:24 AM

Actually, i can save up to 150$, just checked price. But if i save 150$ i have to go reference - :S
So i save a little bit by going for the r9 290. I will look into the sapphire trix r9 290
April 26, 2014 9:25:12 AM

FunkyFeatures said:
I am not going for a 780 because of price. I am bad at translating currencies, but i save about 100$ by going for the r9 290.


O sorry, in the USA, the 780 can be found +/- $20 compared to the 290. The trix is the only card I didn't have problems with, I would suggest that one.
April 26, 2014 9:22:28 AM

I am not going for a 780 because of price. I am bad at translating currencies, but i save about 100$ by going for the r9 290.
April 26, 2014 9:13:01 AM

FunkyFeatures said:
I am not sure right now, but i think i will go with a r9 290 graphics card in my build. I just don't know what cooler to pick.

I am hoping for low noise and reasonable temps.

I will not be going with msi lightning edition or something else crazy edition thing because it is pricier.

From this video -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjwX7v3keo (at around 11:00 she begins testing temp/noise/fan speeds)
It looks like asus r9 290 quiet mode is the way to go, even though it has higher temps.
Is anything quieter than that? And i do know about the heatpipes not touching and so on.

Thanks in advance!


I have used the trix, Gigabyte, Power-color PCS+, and XFX 290's.
All except the Trix were somehow defective when i got them. All ran hot compared to 780's except the trix and pcs+ which still ran 14C over my 7970 and 780. If you were to chose I would suggest the TriX. But really look at getting 780, I used to be biased toward Nvidia but these 290 chips are just to hot, use to much power, and have to many problems.

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