AMD ensures us that 95c is well below the thermal threshold of the GPU, it is a safe temperature for this GPU. Believe me, I know the shock value of 95c though, it is hot, no question about it. I'm just relaying what AMD told me, AMD was confident in the temperature.
I wonder if their confidence extends to components adjacent, or the plastic-covered electric cabling typically found in a computer.
I'd actually worry a bit about cabling with such a hot card.
If I were going to buy a 290X, I would be looking at what custom cards are offered.
I have a relatively small chassi with an upside-down MB placement, hence I'd prefer a "blower" style cooler and custom coolers are typically not of that kind, right? Just wondering if it's even worth waiting for something that may not even come around.
I've never dabbled in water, maybe this is the time.
But then again, maybe a plain 290 with ref blower is good enough.