best R9 290X for overclocking (reference waterblock compatible)

[katiekitsune]

so im looking for a 290x that has features to give more overclocking headroom and stability while maintaining reference cooler mounting so i have more options for water cooling. this is all for future reference but brands dont change their overclocking features that often.

 

[barnsley]

Sapphire Tri-X. Reference PCB yet overclocks really well. There is a user review of the 290 version (and it with a waterblock) on the site.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Doesnt matter they ALL do 1150 on air - adding a water block etc really makes no difference.

The best 290X is the lightning because of the better memory but you have to get a specific waterblock for that

 

[Vlada011]

Is it true Elpida memory on AMD cards OC pretty well compare to Elpida on NVIDIA cards.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Is it true Elpida memory on AMD cards OC pretty well compare to Elpida on NVIDIA cards.

Check the reviews - thats what they are there for

 

[Wraith]

so im looking for a 290x that has features to give more overclocking headroom and stability while maintaining reference cooler mounting so i have more options for water cooling. this is all for future reference but brands dont change their overclocking features that often.

So you've given up on the idea of getting the Asus 280x then :huh: Take a look at the Sapphire Tri-X 290x, if your in any doubt about any of the cards look through the 290x reviews and check the graphs also don't forget the Videos pay special attention to TTLs conclusions, you'll get a real idea and feel for your next card.

 

[SieB]

When it comes to 290s and overclocking it doesn't matter which one you go for as they aren't cherry picked cores. So basically it all comes down to the silicon lottery.

Obviously for air cooling you want the ones with the best coolers because if you do win the silicon lottery keeping the temps as low as possible will get you better results.

The Tri-X is the best air cooled 290 (apart from the Lightining), mine does 1230, some benchmarks I can run at a higher clock speed than others but I can do between 1180 and 1230 easy.

Here is a 3Dmark Sky Diver run I did with a stock 2500K and stock 1000/1300 on my Tri-X.

http://www.3dmark.com/sd/2153234

And here is one I did with a stock 2500K and with a 1230/1500 OC on my Tri-X.

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/3385183?

 

[Kaapstad]

Here is a 3Dmark Sky Diver run I did with a stock 2500K and stock 1000/1300 on my Tri-X.

http://www.3dmark.com/sd/2153234

And here is one I did with a stock 2500K and with a 1230/1500 OC on my Tri-X.

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/3385183?

Overclock your CPU and watch the graphics score climb fast.

I am running a Sky Diver bench thread if you want to post there.

 

[SieB]

Overclock your CPU and watch the graphics score climb fast.

I am running a Sky Diver bench thread if you want to post there.

Already posted on there dude
I'm 11th for the single GPU graphics score and 21st for the single card total score results.

 

[Kaapstad]

Already posted on there dude
I'm 11th for the single GPU graphics score and 21st for the single card total score results.

You are right.

 

[katiekitsune]

i havent given up on the asus 280x i just want to know which 290x would be best when its time to upgrade. also hi there tinytomlogan!