[VideoCardz] Sapphire to launch Radeon R9 290X VAPOR-X with 8GB RAM

[VSG]

Source

 

When Sapphire launched it’s R9 290 Tri-OC series I was quite disappointed. The cooler looks cheap, something like Lighting cooler for the masses, but at least it was a good performer. The good news is that guys over at Sapphire HQ decided to revive its VAPOR-X series with a totally new product. Of course they did the same thing as they did with HD 7000 series, they doubled the memory size, meaning we have a total of 8GB of GDDR5 memory on board. You have to agree it looks amazing compared to 780 Ti 3GB’s, but do we really need it?

 

 

Now I know this is Videocardz but they have gotten some things right recently. I also have a teaser from OCN's Sapphire rep about this last month so I kind of expect it might be true (the 8gb VRAM part, that is). I also believed the Toxic would be released rather than the Vapor-X based on his tease to be honest so don't take this as granted just yet.

[brownninja97]

wow....

[madscientist56]

that's ridiculous, i cant really see where 8 gigs of v ram is necessary but its still a cool card

love that backplate design too

[skullbringer]

its so blue and so unnecessary.

[VSG]

If this is true, I like the refreshing change of color for the card honestly. It may not match a whole lot of builds out there but then- it will not look like a whole lot of builds out there

 

As far as the 8GB goes- triple surround 1080p and higher, anyone?

[TopWargamer]

that's ridiculous, i cant really see where 8 gigs of v ram is necessary but its still a cool card

love that backplate design too

Multiple 4K displays. 

[AlexGoesHigh]

8 gigs, that right there is the definition of overkill...

 

and i like it 

[PillowSmoke]

oh dear.

[moustacheman]

that's ridiculous, i cant really see where 8 gigs of v ram is necessary but its still a cool card

love that backplate design too

i have the same backplates (ish) on my 280xs they're beautiful!

but on topic 8Gb seems unnecessary but that cooler looks really nice  

Edited February 26, 2014 by moustacheman

[AMICLG]

i have the same backplates (ish) on my 280xs they're beautiful!

but on topic 8Gb seems unnecessary but that cooler looks really nice  

It's made for 4k+ gaming.

[moustacheman]

It's made for 4k+ gaming.

id be interested to see if this actually makes a significant difference though, i may be completely wrong but i get the feeling current hardware all round isnt quite ready to push 4k to the max yet. 

Edited February 26, 2014 by moustacheman

[AMICLG]

id be interested to see if this actually makes a significant difference though, i may be completely wrong but i get the feeling current hardware all round is quite ready to push 4k to the max yet. 

1GB more powerful cards is some 1080p @ultra game benchmarks are below 2GB less powerful cards due to the game not being able to access enough VRAM.

[moustacheman]

1GB more powerful cards is some 1080p @ultra game benchmarks are below 2GB less powerful cards due to the game not being able to access enough VRAM.

aye, but im wondering if the most powerful cards are powerful enough for 4k or even 4k plus @ultra regardless of their VRAM or perhaps we must wait to maxwell or beyond for a reasonable experience at those resolutions. a card that is too slow for a resolution sees very little benefit from extra VRAM  

[sysloc]

8GB is nice, but what about bus size?

[VSG]

Same as reference- 512 bit. That should be plenty for 8gb ram the Titan and the 7970 Vapor-X 6GB editions are anything to go by.

[Str_Mape]

aye, but im wondering if the most powerful cards are powerful enough for 4k or even 4k plus @ultra regardless of their VRAM or perhaps we must wait to maxwell or beyond for a reasonable experience at those resolutions. a card that is too slow for a resolution sees very little benefit from extra VRAM  

It's particularly helpful if people are running crossfire with these wanting to push 4k or surround 2560 x 1440

[Pitou]

yes this is necessary, just like 4 titans  

[digitalnav]

id be interested to see if this actually makes a significant difference though, i may be completely wrong but i get the feeling current hardware all round isnt quite ready to push 4k to the max yet. 

It won't until games make SUPER high-res textures.

 

It's made for 4k+ gaming.

4K doesn't even use more than 5GB, its OVERKILL.

[That Norwegian Guy]

4K doesn't even use more than 5GB, its OVERKILL.

 

Um, that doesn't matter though, if partners want to expand the VRAM on a card they have to double it.

 

Even if 4K only needed 4.1GB of VRAM, they'd still need to double up...

 

Blame AMD for not planning for 4K and make the base VRAM multiple of 5 or 6GB.

[VSG]

Not necessarily double, you can do 1.5x as well so you can technically also do 6gb on these cards.

[CyberneticTitan]

This reminds me a lot of the MSI GTX 780 Lightning.......

[VSG]

If this reminds you of it, what does the Sapphire R9 290/290x Tri-X do?

[atomicmonkey101]

great colour scheme! And 8gb's of VRAM, I dunno, developer uses maybe? 4K in surround? 

[TheNinjaNextDor]

DAMN SON

[digitalnav]

I really don't see the point in this card, maybe im missing something or this is just another hoax posted by Videocardz.