r9 280x vs 290

[ProductParadise]

I need a new graphics card for as close to 250 as possible after rebates. I was looking at these cards which one should i go for? I'm trying to go for a blue color scheme but I am ok to sacrifise that for better performance. I'm also not afraid to take it apart and paint it if necessary! 

 

r9 290's 

 

Sapphire: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202143&cm_re=290-_-14-202-143-_-Product

 

Powercolor (NOT THE PCS +):http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131668&cm_re=290-_-14-131-668-_-Product

 

 

r9 280x's

 

Sapphire 280x: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202137&cm_re=290-_-14-202-137-_-Product

[AlwaysFSX]

A 290 is so much faster than a 280x.

[ProductParadise]

I'm also thinking about cross-firing in the future! If I go with the 280x I will have the money for a new power supply and a new case!

[Clyne]

290, but it depends if your PSU can handle a 290.........

[ProductParadise]

A 290 is so much faster than a 280x.

What exact card though should i go with 

[Sam Z Man]

What exact card though should i go with

Sapphire 290 all the way.

[mroz10]

What exact card though should i go with 

Sapphire. They normally make the best AMD cards because of their special relationship with AMD.

[Sam Z Man]

You could get a 290X for 269$ though.

[rafazafar]

Any non reference 290 will be good. both sapphire and pcs are good, i would personally take the slimmer sapphire, but if you wanan save some money then go with the pcs. Or get the MSI gaming if you need a shorter card

What PSU do you have currently?

 

[Sam Z Man]

290, but it depends if your PSU can handle a 290.........

The 280X and the 290 have the same tdp

[Clyne]

The 280X and the 290 have the same tdp

TDP and wattage isn't the same.

[Sam Z Man]

TDP and wattage isn't the same.

Wattage is power going in, tdp is thermal output going out, throw in conservation of mass/energy and they are the same thing.

[Clyne]

Wattage is power going in, tdp is thermal output going out, throw in conservation of mass/energy and they are the same thing.

TDP is based on how much heat needs to dissipate.

Just because both the cards have the same TDP doesn't mean it uses the same amount of power.  It can either exceed or stay below its value. 

You can't take a OC'd 290 and say it uses the same amount of power as a stock 280X because it has the same TDP. Flawed logic.

[rafazafar]

Wattage is power going in, tdp is thermal output going out, throw in conservation of mass/energy and they are the same thing.

efficiency is different. hence power draw is different. this is the important bit ,not the heat production.

[Sam Z Man]

efficiency is different. hence power draw is different. this is the important bit ,not the heat production.

How is efficiency a thing, the amount of power going out is the same, it's only from the display signal, and PCI express lanes, almost all the power gets used just by the GPU and VRM's and is turned strait into heat.

[rafazafar]

How is efficiency a thing, the amount of power going out is the same, it's only from the display signal, and PCI express lanes, almost all the power gets used just by the GPU and VRM's and is turned strait into heat.

TDP can get you close to the actuall power consumption but it varies, and sometimes alot.. 

Im sure you would agree the 280x and 290 at rated differently., rated 250w vs 300w.

But in actual use, it differs even more/less, depending on the game. 

Not to mention applications that may go beyond its deisgned tdp, like furmark.

I understand your notion of conservation of energy but every card behaves differently, board design do effect the efficiency(electrically and fps) of the whole system quite a bit. Do note its not a liniear correlation, you will realise this very quickly when you overclock, working outside its designed voltage range.

[Sam Z Man]

TDP can get you close to the actuall power consumption but it varies, and sometimes alot..

Im sure you would agree the 280x and 290 at loads are different., rated 250w vs 300w.

But in actual use, it differs even more/less, depending on the game.

Not to mention applications that may go beyond its deisgned tdp, like furmark.

I understand your notion of conservation of energy but every card behaves differently, board design do effect the efficiency(electrically and fps) of the whole system quite a bit.

The 290 is rated at 250 watts the 290x is the one rated at 300 watts. And I know every card behaves differently because of the silicon lottery, but manufactures take an average ball park spec from what full load wattage is of across a few cards and make that the rating, but the 280X and 290 both are rated at 250 watts.

[rafazafar]

The 290 is rated at 250 watts the 290x is the one rated at 300 watts. And I know every card behaves differently because of the silicon lottery, but manufactures take an average ball park spec of what they see across most cards and make that the rating, but the 280X and 290 both are rated at 250 watts.

then tell me why in every single case/review/ gamingtest , the 290 uses more power than the 280x. ~30-50watts more

note: we are getting offtopic here. dont wanna hijack this thread

[Sam Z Man]

then tell me why in every single case/review/test , the 290 uses more power than the 280x.

note: we are getting offtopic here. dont wanna hijack this thread

Well maybe because in the 280X is slightly under 250 watts on average and the 290 is slightly higher then 250 watts on average.