R9 290x - MSI vs ASUS vs Sapphire

[DoubleA7]

I can't decide between which GPU to get.

 

I've heard problems for the Sapphire card, 

 

Here's some pictures and stuff:

 

I love the red on the MSI one, but I'm not sure if I should go with ASUS or consider Sapphire.

Help please!

[Shd0w2]

Sapphire. Hands down

[Izaya Orihara]

Out of those I'd take the Asus one because it's the quietest one and the sexyiest one. 

[juretrn]

I heard good things about all.

People usually really like MSI and ASUS, which is personally my favourite. I think the ASUS also has a choice of colours to stick on the cooler, IIRC.

[DoubleA7]

Anything for overclock-ability, I might try that down the road.

[DoubleA7]

Sapphire. Hands down

Why would you go with Sapphire, didn't they just slap on their cooler to the reference model? is it good enough to compete with the ASUS one, I've read a few articles about the temperature (Which i was surprised with) which are good, but I've also read some negative reviews about how the heatsinks are bad or something.

[deafboy]

In terms of CS:  MSI > Sapphire > Asus

In terms of the card itself:  Sapphire > Asus > MSI

[TheDigitalRealm]

Out of those I'd take the Asus one because it's the quietest one and the sexyiest one.

Actually I've heard it's pretty loud, at least according to TTL when he reviewed the Matrix version (uses the same fin and fan assembly)

[PhantomChevron]

Guys the Asus one had some issues with cooling, as the only one actual heatpipe was touching the gpu dye

[Bagmup]

Why would you go with Sapphire, didn't they just slap on their cooler to the reference model? is it good enough to compete with the ASUS one, I've read a few articles about the temperature (Which i was surprised with) which are good, but I've also read some negative reviews about how the heatsinks are bad or something.

The asus cooler is the same as the one they put on their 780's, it's not optimised for the 290 at all.

Basically, sapphire make the best amd cards, of course this is my opinion only.

[Clarkey]

Why would you go with Sapphire, didn't they just slap on their cooler to the reference model? is it good enough to compete with the ASUS one, I've read a few articles about the temperature (Which i was surprised with) which are good, but I've also read some negative reviews about how the heatsinks are bad or something.

Slapping their cooler to the reference model is pretty much exactly what most companies do, and theres nothing wrong with it tbh. The cooler is usually the main thing about the aftermarket cards. 

[DoubleA7]

Since i'll be getting the MSI Gaming 9 AC (When it comes out) would there be any benefit in getting the MSI one (i'm assuming as they are made by the same company that it may be better) would there be any benefit?

[Izaya Orihara]

Actually I've heard it's pretty loud, at least according to TTL when he reviewed the Matrix version (uses the same fin and fan assembly)

I used two 780ti version of those for a while and they were pretty quiet so I was assuming that it would be the same. 

[TheDigitalRealm]

I used two 780ti version of those for a while and they were pretty quiet so I was assuming that it would be the same.

Not even close. TTL reviewed the 780ti and 290X Matrix at the same time and stated that the 290X was significantly louder, and that the fans were running at a high rpm the entire time.

[Tacitus]

Since i'll be getting the MSI Gaming 9 AC (When it comes out) would there be any benefit in getting the MSI one (i'm assuming as they are made by the same company that it may be better) would there be any benefit?

I asked this in the past - answer I go was no, there is no reason performance-wise as to why you should.

[Sonefiler]

PowerColor PCS+ is the coolest one

[xAcid9]

I used two 780ti version of those for a while and they were pretty quiet so I was assuming that it would be the same. 

 

Asus use the same cooler they use on GK110 cards. GTX780s die size is much larger compare to 290s hence only partial of the cooler/heatpipe actually touching and cooling the Hawaii card.

[kingdorian]

Is all the above thesame for r9 290(non-x) cards? I might have to reconsider going to buy an asus r9 290 instead of one of those (imho) ugly black+yellowish sapphire banana's. Those sapphire cards are also 30euros==around 50dollar. More expensive than the asus ones. The powercolor pcs+ is 3slot is that true? If yes I think it might have some problems when put in crossfire... I know a lot of people that have MSI Gaming r9 290(x) reported the cards started throtteling when they where put in crossfire configuration.

[Sonefiler]

Is all the above thesame for r9 290(non-x) cards? I might have to reconsider going to buy an asus r9 290 instead of one of those (imho) ugly black+yellowish sapphire banana's. Those sapphire cards are also 30euros==around 50dollar. More expensive than the asus ones. The powercolor pcs+ is 3slot is that true? If yes I think it might have some problems when put in crossfire... I know a lot of people that have MSI Gaming r9 290(x) reported the cards started throtteling when they where put in crossfire configuration.

PCS+ is pretty much triple slot but takes only two slots on the brackets. It's the cooolest though

[kingdorian]

PCS+ is pretty much triple slot but takes only two slots on the brackets. It's the cooolest though

Well I'm afraid its going to have problems with cooling when I put two of them in crossfire because there is only 3 slots spacing between the pci-e brackets...

[Sonefiler]

Well I'm afraid its going to have problems with cooling when I put two of them in crossfire because there is only 3 slots spacing between the pci-e brackets...

That should be plenty, as long as you have at least two fans in your case. I'm going to CF my PCS+

[kingdorian]

That should be plenty, as long as you have at least two fans in your case. I'm going to CF my PCS+

I'm planning to do 2x140mm intake, 3x120mm intake and 3x140mm outtake... But nevermind, there are only 3 shops here in the Netherlands that sell the card out of the 40 or so I checked... Its cheapest at a shop I've had such horrible experience with I'm never buying anything there anymore so that makes the cheapest card 40euro's (12%) more expensive then the Asus DCUII and 20 euro's more expensive then the tri-x card..

So I think I'll just play it safe and go for the tri-x one and get a nice red+black brushed alu backplate for it to make fit atleast a bit into my color-scheme....