Is an R9 290 worth it?

[MEC-777]

I've built three machines with dual GPU GB WF3 cards and many single gpu setups, so far no calls about issues (besides drivers)

 

My 290 is a Gigabyte model, and only gets over 85*c when its clocked @ 1175/1550mhz, when at my normal gaming overclock of 1100/1333 it never gets over 76*c

Stock is about 70-72*c (My room is getting hotter each day as summer gets closer, today was 28*c in my room, usually a little less than that)

 

I had to RMA a card that was a Gigabyte 947mhz model, any HW acceleration = BSOD, yet it would game fine, and do everything but that okay. (RMA went fine, replaced in 22days (+1 Gigabyte)

 

So far I think I've had at least 25 Windforce 290 cards, none of them have been 'excessively' heated above average to the point of needing a investigation.

 

I'm not saying they don't fail, but I have had my hands on a few and haven't had any calls cept the one RMA.

 

I'd still recommend them.

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

 

I understand you have to take customer reviews with a grain of salt, but when you see consistent issues reported across numerous users, my inclination is to take that a little more seriously. Of course that's not always the case, as you've indicated and proven, but just so you know, that was the reasoning behind my recommendation. 

 

My last GPU was a windforce 7950, which was an excellent card. Temps were 70 or lower, unless overclocked, and it performed better than what most benchmarks seemed to indicate. The Whitcher 2 @1080p everything maxed, it ran locked at 60fps (Vsync) 98% of the time. It even out-gunned my friend's GTX 680 2GB in a number of titles, probably partly due to it's 3GB Vram.