Do reference R9 290s overheat?

[Cokeman]

So if you saw all my polls about the Crossfire R9 290s what I was talking about was reference cards. Someone told be that reference R9 290s overheat and thermal throttle because the fan sucks. So is that true?

[Jobbe03]

Yes

[Archangel1994]

So if you saw all my polls about the Crossfire R9 290s what I was talking about was reference cards. Someone told be that reference R9 290s overheat and thermal throttle because the fan sucks. So is that true?

Well they throttle like a maniac if you leave the fan below 50%. Bringing the fan above 50% fixes it but then it sounds like you have a jet engine in your case.

[Askew]

The won't overheat past safe limits but they may downlock themselves if temps get too high, so that's an effective yes.

 

They are also very loud, if you want a 290 go for the Tri-X or Vapor-X cards from Sapphire, those cool well and have no issues with overheating in a case with good airflow.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

So if you saw all my polls about the Crossfire R9 290s what I was talking about was reference cards. Someone told be that reference R9 290s overheat and thermal throttle because the fan sucks. So is that true?

Shouldn't be a problem if you have good intake and exhaust in your case. The temps will still be high though which might lead to some thermal throttling, noise levels will be high too. 

[Cokeman]

The won't overheat past safe limits but they may downlock themselves if temps get too high, so that's an effective yes.

 

They are also very loud, if you want a 290 go for the Tri-X or Vapor-X cards from Sapphire, those cool well and have no issues with overheating in a case with good airflow.

Problem is I can't get them for $250

[VintageCake]

Problem is I can't get them for $250

Turn up the fan to 100% and they won't overheat.

[Archangel1994]

Problem is I can't get them for $250

There is a reason for that. Especially the Sapphire vapor-x one is especially good.

[Enderman]

Yes they overheat unless you put the fan to 75-100% which sounds like a blow dryer and nobody should do it.

[wng_kingsley7]

So if you saw all my polls about the Crossfire R9 290s what I was talking about was reference cards. Someone told be that reference R9 290s overheat and thermal throttle because the fan sucks. So is that true?

Quite a bit, the reference cooler isn't very optimized for such a power hungry thermal processor. I don't believe even Linus mention it in his review but there is a review by Tom Logan from OC3D TV and he is very insightful.

[Enderman]

Turn up the fan to 100% and they won't overheat.

If you turn it up to 100% you go deaf.

[Toddwjp]

never get a reference amd, just sort of a rule nowdays

[gigabyte]

Quite a bit, the reference cooler isn't very optimized for such a power hungry thermal processor. I don't believe even Linus mention it in his review but there is a review by Tom Logan from OC3D TV and he is very insightful.

l0l "bum raping performance"

[Tacitus]

Problem is I can't get them for $250

 

It's probably not the best idea in the world to buy ex-mining cards, especially ones that have spent their life almost always above 90 degrees.

 

Pucker up and get a pair of Tri-X 290s

[seiny]

I doesn't overheat but it does thermal throttle when ran at 95C for a while - These cards are designed to run 105C which they don't even reach in the real world, anything over this number would be overheating

[Vitalius]

-snip-

I have Crossfire 290Xs. I underclocked them by 5%, then lowered the thermal limit to 85C while leaving the fan to go up to 50% fan speed when necessary. 

I think I've found the perfect balance between performance, sound, and heat. You will have crossfire GPUs. I don't think it would matter underclocking them a few % to avoid overheating or throttling.

[seiny]

It's probably not the best idea in the world to buy ex-mining cards, especially ones that have spent their life almost always above 90 degrees.

 

Pucker up and get a pair of Tri-X 290s

I personally think ex-miners are normally well taken care of, like never OC'd, regular breaks etc.

[Enderman]

never get a reference amd, just sort of a rule nowdays

Except for watercooling because they will be compatible with many waterblocks.

[Vitalius]

I personally think ex-miners are normally well taken care of, like never OC'd, regular breaks etc.

I get everything but "regular breaks". I seriously doubt miners stopped using the cards at any point other than tuning settings. And that happens once. 

Personally, since AMD set the stock settings to 95C, I think 95C or less is perfectly fine.

never get a reference amd, just sort of a rule nowdays

*has reference AMDs*

They are pretty great imo.

[Tacitus]

I personally think ex-miners are normally well taken care of, like never OC'd, regular breaks etc.

 

I'd consider buying a non-reference one, but I'd have reservations about the reference 290.

[seiny]

I'd consider buying a non-reference one, but I'd have reservations about the reference 290.

Don't buy it, you're better off with a non-reference, I'd recommend the gigabyte windforce, sapphire tri-x or power color pcs+ these are the best - the tri-x runs at 70C under load and noise levels are quieter than a gtx 780

[seiny]

I get everything but "regular breaks". I seriously doubt miners stopped using the cards at any point other than tuning settings. And that happens once. 

Personally, since AMD set the stock settings to 95C, I think 95C or less is perfectly fine.

*has reference AMDs*

They are pretty great imo.

I think some do give the regular breaks, especially when they don't want to lose their hardware, AMD didn't go all out on the reference design for a good reason, there's plenty of third party manufacturers who will spend the money developing the best design, saves AMD time and money in the end - This is of course my conjecture.

[Tacitus]

Don't buy it, you're better off with a non-reference, I'd recommend the gigabyte windforce, sapphire tri-x or power color pcs+ these are the best - the tri-x runs at 70C under load and noise levels are quieter than a gtx 780

 

I know which ones are good. I'm not the one trying to buy second hand ones on ebay for $250...

 

I did say I'd only buy a non-reference second hand one.