So, now which 390?

[robinspi]

So, I am going to get an r9 390, that much is decided. But now, which is the one to get? I am split between the msi and gigabyte versions. I like the gigabyte because it has 3 DP connections which would be cool for a triple monitor setup. Also, I do not do much gaming, especially not 3d hardcore game-engine gaming; and do not even own a steam account (yes, you read that right).

Still, I have also heard good things about the msi, though it has dual DVI (meh) and 1 DP and HDMI. So, no triple monitor with that card.

What do you guys think? Over the top? Good/Bad idea? And ultimately, which card?

Thanks, RS.

[FusionBlitzx]

The gigabyte one would be my choice, nice looking cooler with great performance and support for triple monitors 

[Swndlr]

MSI

[robinspi]

But why MSI?

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

But why MSI?

It has a pretty overbuilt cooler. Look up reviews on the msi version.

[robinspi]

I do know of the really awesome cooler, but is that a deal-breaker between the two cards? The gigabyte g1 version has had a good history as well, at least from the people I talk with. Does it qualify the msi over the gigabyte? (the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of triple monitors, in the future... I'm trying to keep as open a mind as possible, though...)

[REX.exe]

What about Powercolor PCS+?

[Prysin]

well, if you want excellent warranty and good enough cooling, go XFX.

If you want the most reliable and most well engineered card, go Sapphire.

If you want the most balls to the wall factory OC, then MSI or Sapphire.

If you want a solid factory OC with excellent cooling, go gigabyte

If you want to not give a damn if your hardware melts and house burns down, buy Asus.

[IateMApoo]

MSI, cuz better build quality, more realiable, less noisy, runs cooler and better customer service.

[robinspi]

@Prysin: thanks. I like that explanation    I like the nitro, but it is out of stock and a little bit more expensive on newegg (same as my i7 4790k)

 

So, the question I am asking now is, would my 390 be able to handle triple 1080p monitors? I know my dad has a Gigabyte r9 290 and coupled it with a 4k tv (65"... like holy crap.) and it plays some games (Trine2 and a couple others). This makes it seem like my 8GB card should be able to handle it, even if it is a little (maybe not ) larger resolution...

 

What think you guys? could my 390 handle triple monitor media, CAD and graphic editing?

[Guest]

It has a pretty overbuilt cooler. Look up reviews on the msi version.

They have shit customer service (trust me I have to pay for shipping for my broken motherboard and they are slow) 

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

They have shit customer service (trust me I have to pay for shipping for my broken motherboard and they are slow)

Lol that sounds like asus

[Guest]

Lol that sounds like asus

2/2 MSI products that are defective now, I'll only buy EVGA now 

[robinspi]

Yeah, never have bought an MSI product... I do know that their gaming laptops are better than most, but still, I don't know about their individual parts...

 

So, now my list is so:

 

1: Able to do triple monitor???

 

     Yes, why not? --> Gigabyte or Sapphire

 

     No, bad idea... --> so far, contenders are Sapphire, MSI, and Gigabyte

 

2: Any difference in OCing the card.

 

3: Fits with a red/blue, black and white PC build (Basically all...)

 

Other than those, I really think that the only other criteria would be the best company for service in case of DOA or other unfortunate events.

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

2/2 MSI products that are defective now, I'll only buy EVGA now

Me friend's evga gtx 760 died within a week. Ya ain't getting me to buy evga ever again :lol:

[Guest]

Me friend's evga gtx 760 died within a week. Ya ain't getting me to buy evga ever again :lol:

Well the thing is, they send you crazy shit like a GTX 770 or 780 if that happens (some guy on Reddit got a GTX 980 because his GTX 780 had some coil whine)

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

Well the thing is, they send you crazy shit like a GTX 770 or 780 if that happens (some guy on Reddit got a GTX 980 because his GTX 780 had some coil whine)

The last time I checked. My friend didn't receive a gtx 770. If everyone received a higher tier card for free just because their card has coil whine. Evga would go bust :lol:

[miagisan]

Well the thing is, they send you crazy shit like a GTX 770 or 780 if that happens (some guy on Reddit got a GTX 980 because his GTX 780 had some coil whine)

MSI does it as well\

 

http://i.imgur.com/RMMpyl0.jpg

[Guest]

MSI does it as well\

 

http://i.imgur.com/RMMpyl0.jpg

It's only after two RMAs. I have come to hate MSI in only a day... (refer to controversial petition thread in General Discussion). They want me to pay for shipping on my broken motherboard (no company should make you pay for an RMA) and I now have a 100% defect rate with MSI products.

[Guest]

The last time I checked. My friend didn't receive a gtx 770. If everyone received a higher tier card for free just because their card has coil whine. Evga would go bust :lol:

Idk man, I'll just stick with them due their 10 year warranties alone. And always with Nvidia considering my member title (long story that you may or may not know).

[Kinda Bottlenecked]

Idk man, I'll just stick with them due their 10 year warranties alone. And always with Nvidia considering my member title (long story that you may or may not know).

And I'll just stick with the company that actually has a service centre in my country

[Prysin]

@Prysin: thanks. I like that explanation    I like the nitro, but it is out of stock and a little bit more expensive on newegg (same as my i7 4790k)

 

So, the question I am asking now is, would my 390 be able to handle triple 1080p monitors? I know my dad has a Gigabyte r9 290 and coupled it with a 4k tv (65"... like holy crap.) and it plays some games (Trine2 and a couple others). This makes it seem like my 8GB card should be able to handle it, even if it is a little (maybe not ) larger resolution...

 

What think you guys? could my 390 handle triple monitor media, CAD and graphic editing?

if you are doing a lot of CAD editing, i suggest buying a 390 + a 290. Then flash the bios on the 290 to a Firepro bios (this unlocks some of the sweet functions only found on 600 USD+ workstation cards). The 290 TRI-X OC from sapphire can be had for around 270 USD, and that thing is a beast.

Remember, if you flash the bios on the card, it will be shit for gaming (cuz drivers will work differently), but it will be a beast for CAD. Do note that most 290s come with dual bios. So you could simply power down your PC, flip the little switch, and use a CAD bios, or flip it back for gaming. This however is a cumbersome solution to the whole issue

[robinspi]

@Prysin:

Cool. I don't have room in my budget, but my Dad has a 290, and I am pretty sure that he is going to upgrade, so I might be able to convince him to give it to me once he's through. If I did that, would I have to do anything special with the bios, with any special plugging in of cables? Or would it be like using the 390 to drive the display(s) and the 290 to sit and render? or like crossfire? or what? I'm sorry, but I don't deal with multiple card setups, so I wouldn't know...

Thanks for dealing with a semi-knowledgeable young enthusiast.

if you are doing a lot of CAD editing, i suggest buying a 390 + a 290. Then flash the bios on the 290 to a Firepro bios (this unlocks some of the sweet functions only found on 600 USD+ workstation cards). The 290 TRI-X OC from sapphire can be had for around 270 USD, and that thing is a beast.

Remember, if you flash the bios on the card, it will be shit for gaming (cuz drivers will work differently), but it will be a beast for CAD. Do note that most 290s come with dual bios. So you could simply power down your PC, flip the little switch, and use a CAD bios, or flip it back for gaming. This however is a cumbersome solution to the whole issue

a

Quote for notification.

[Prysin]

@Prysin:

Cool. I don't have room in my budget, but my Dad has a 290, and I am pretty sure that he is going to upgrade, so I might be able to convince him to give it to me once he's through. If I did that, would I have to do anything special with the bios, with any special plugging in of cables? Or would it be like using the 390 to drive the display(s) and the 290 to sit and render? or like crossfire? or what? I'm sorry, but I don't deal with multiple card setups, so I wouldn't know...

Thanks for dealing with a semi-knowledgeable young enthusiast.a

Quote for notification.

well first you need to separate the Firepro card which is based upon the 290, in this case i believe it is the W8100, the W9100 is the 290X from what i can gather.

Then you need to find the BIOS somewhere, download it and use a program to change the bios on the card, i havent done this before, but i believe you can do it with MSI afterburner, however do not quote me on that.

yes the card will be used to rendering, but you will probably have to select it. As for how it will work in your rig, i am not sure. The 390 and 290 use bridgeless crossfire, so they may just suddenly start to CF out of nowhere, do note that the drivers used to Firepro cards, even if they are essentially a 290 or 290X, does NOT let you play games very good. A 1000 USD Firepro or Quadro essentially has the gaming prowess of a 270X or 280 due to how their drivers completely take a dump when it comes to game support.

You will get more FPS, but unlike running a 290 + a 390, it will be more like running a 270 + a 390, which will at best give you +10FPS in newer games....

[robinspi]

Cool. So it looks like I should get the e9 390 from sapphire, and if not, then get the gigabyte g1 if necessary. Thanks prysin and others for the help and suggestions.