R9 290 vs GTX 780 - discussion thread

[LinusTech]

 

Alright it's finally here. The stunning conclusion of our R9 290 vs GTX 780 showdown. We used a couple of our most taxing games to validate our overclocks, so if they run in these ones, they'll be good to go in others. We hit a hard wall with both cards where if we increase voltage, clock speed, or power limit any further we were not stable, so this is about the best we can do, but as always, YMMV. Here's the link to our latest GPU clock speed spreadsheet. I'm going to email Luke right now to find out why the water cooled clocks aren't on it yet... But they'll be there soon if they aren't already

 

Graphics Cards

R9 290: NCIX, Amazon

GTX 780: NCIX, Amazon

 

Koolance Gear

R9 290 Block: Koolance

GTX 780 Block: Koolance

Quick Disconnect Fittings: Koolance

Tube Reservoirs: Koolance

DDC Pump Top: Koolance

 

[SAV1OUR]

Can you base the same results for the r9 290x and the gtx780ti or are you going to make another video for it?

[Vbgf]

You might want to list it cuz it's unlisted atm.

[LinusTech]

You might want to list it cuz it's unlisted atm.

Videos almost always come up a bit early on the forum in unlisted mode. That means I'm working on all the annotations and cross links and whatnot.

[M-ursu]

My opinion is that 290 might give more perfomanse(icl.Mantle), but 780 will give better effiency, PhysX, better 3D, Cuda, G-sync geforce experience and Shadowplay.

AMD's Mantle and true audio just aint that great, but 290 is way cheaper than 780, so it is all about personal preference. (I am NOT a fanboy of any side)

I sold my 290 (after RMA), because i wanted physX, Batman archam origins looks better on my gtx 650 than 290, because physX effects are so impressive. (Same goes to MetroLL and to Borderlands 2)

[LinusTech]

Luke will update the doc when he gets a chance, but we cranked both cards in every way we could get our greasy little paws on.

[Hazy125]

Videos almost always come up a bit early on the forum in unlisted mode. That means I'm working on all the annotations and cross links and whatnot.

Ha, we're special. Can you do me a favour, when I inevitably post something on this video, can you... Not reply to it good lord

[jameshumphries47]

great vid linus, I laughed when at the start really long spiky hair then BOOM it disappeared lol.

[Assassin]

This video wins the "babe" of the year award...

[Kobz360]

Damn, I really was expecting R9 290 to really just dominate, that didn't happen. With prices on par with 780, obviously 780 is the better buy, but when it drops back to $399, then it'll be much more justifiable and take back its place as the best price/performance card. 780 was simply too good though, what a machine. 

 

I wonder if the extra Stream processors of the 290X will stretch that respective cards' legs out more and hopefully it is a better overclocker under water and aftermarket air. 

[TheEpicCanadian]

OMG guyz linux replied 2 my communt. 

 

please tell me you know this comment is a joke

[felixbearpig]

im supprised about the 780. 

 

i honestly was beliveing the "wait till they watercool the 290" hype

[mogan23]

I was expecting much more performance increase, but it really solved the noise and heat issue. Btw in the first part of the video your hair was horrendous , luckily it magically changed

[Lays]

My opinion is that 290 might give more perfomanse(icl.Mantle), but 780 will give better effiency, PhysX, better 3D, Cuda, G-sync geforce experience and Shadowplay.

AMD's Mantle and true audio just aint that great, but 290 is way cheaper than 780, so it is all about personal preference. (I am NOT a fanboy of any side)

I sold my 290 (after RMA), because i wanted physX, Batman archam origins looks better on my gtx 650 than 290, because physX effects are so impressive. (Same goes to MetroLL and to Borderlands 2)

 

not if they keep raising prices 290's so expensive compared to what they should be reference models like 499.99-530 I wanted my friend to get one but they gwas'd the prices so I told him to get a 780 instead :3

[M-ursu]

not if they keep raising prices 290's so expensive compared to what they should be reference models like 499.99-530 I wanted my friend to get one but they gwas'd the prices so I told him to get a 780 instead :3

In Finland prices are still 399 to 449.

[R4STABAN]

Well this is going to rustle the jimmies of the '290 gonna overclock like mad on water yo' gang

[CatCloud]

"lol so hard over the results" all the hype i read.
heh... sorry.
Let´s se what will come next, hopefully not another poorly OC Jet engine.

[Gunjob]

Well this is going to rustle the jimmies of the '290 gonna overclock like mad on water yo' gang

Got higher clocks on mine under air. Linus/Luke didn't touch the core voltage, I needed less than 100mV to get 1206mhz core stable. 

[Giggitygoebbels]

You do get slightly less performance for the same price,but you can mine coins on the 290 which is a big valueadd.

[RainbowTylernol]

My 780 clocks higher on air than yours does on water 

[ViruZ_HUN]

My opinion is that 290 might give more perfomanse(icl.Mantle), but 780 will give better effiency, PhysX, better 3D, Cuda, G-sync geforce experience and Shadowplay.

AMD's Mantle and true audio just aint that great, but 290 is way cheaper than 780, so it is all about personal preference. (I am NOT a fanboy of any side)

I sold my 290 (after RMA), because i wanted physX, Batman archam origins looks better on my gtx 650 than 290, because physX effects are so impressive. (Same goes to MetroLL and to Borderlands 2)

HAH DUAL FANBOY!

[Lynx]

no extra juice on core voltage? (BIOS Flash)

come on Linus it's Water Cooling, not your average reference air cooling

 

it seems no over demand in my country regarding the GPU mining 

[Crion]

I guess that the R9 290 was not quite as thermal limited as we thought based on the fact that when both cards are on water, they scale pretty equally.

[Psychatog]

Grain of salt IMO.

[exotioner]

His card was a terrible overclocker.  His GTX 780 hit 1250/1650 while his r9-290 barely hit 1150/1450.  His GTX 780 was a topic notch OCer while his R9-290 was a dud.  

780 still has PhysX, Better 3D, CUDA, Shadowplay, and what does AMD Have ? Not even Mantel, Yet. True Audio ? Woot ? I can listen to music and game at the same time just fine with my GTX 560. lol

Can't wait to upgrade to a whole new rig hopefully I get access to that soon, Will get a 780 and I'll stick with it for years to come.