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Are all reference r9 290s created equal?

M

MysticalOrca

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Dec 2, 2013
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Howdy, I was just considering a computer upgrade for my graphics card specifically. Seeing as to how the 7970 prices have gone through the roof (awesome timing -_-) I was considering a r9 290. However I saw all that was left in stock on newegg were asus and gigabyte. I would rather get the gigabyte because it has the bf4 code but I was wondering if either brand had something wrong with it? Something like a locked voltage or stability problems that leave them undesirable. I think I am being over cautious but I don't really want to throw $400 down the tube... Thanks for any help!
 
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I'd go with Gigabyte.

Only because of the occasional ASUS card !catching fire! recently....
 
MysticalOrca said:
Howdy, I was just considering a computer upgrade for my graphics card specifically. Seeing as to how the 7970 prices have gone through the roof (awesome timing -_-) I was considering a r9 290. However I saw all that was left in stock on newegg were asus and gigabyte. I would rather get the gigabyte because it has the bf4 code but I was wondering if either brand had something wrong with it? Something like a locked voltage or stability problems that leave them undesirable. I think I am being over cautious but I don't really want to throw $400 down the tube... Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

Not exactly. I've been a Sapphire junkie for close to 8 years now but chose XFX when I upgraded to the 290. Aside for being the cheapest the XFX have had the highest instances of 290x unlock.
 
Good Morning,

It is our understanding that the reference model 290X's that just launched are identical to all other 290x cards from other MFR's, with the exception of the Serial Sticker on the bottom of the PCB.
 
All reference boards are not created equal I have a XFX 290, unlocked to a 290x, it also seems to be unable either way locked or unlocked at stock setting..
 
^ Unable to what?

You take pot luck getting a card that uses a 290x chip, some 290s do have one.
My early Powercolor 290 OC unlocked to a 290x fine.
Early XFX owners have had a fair measure of success too.
Since the next batches have appeared, there have been reports about other mfrs cards that unlock.
There was an attempted poll to find which cards unlock best, 3 forum trolls tried to spoil it but you can subtract their votes.
At least for earlier cards, powercolor and xfx had the best chance.
 
It's recommended that you go with the XFX RADEON R9 290 if you're purchasing a reference R9 290.

They have a high success rate for unlocking to the R9 290X and they have a great warranty.

You can try the Powercolor R9 290 but in general, they are a second tier GPU manufacturer.

If you're planning to wait for an aftermarket R9 290 then I wouldn't go with either of the brands and stick with Sapphire, ASUS, MSI, HIS, or Gigabyte.
 
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