Gigabyte 290X Windforce OC Graphics Card
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Gigabyte's R9 290X is the best one we've yet tested. It appears to use a modified PCB and DEFINITELY uses a very strong non-reference cooler Sponsor link: linustechtips.com Pricing & discussion: linustechtips.com Overclocking sheet: docs.google.com Join our community forum: bit.ly twitter.com @LinusTech Intro Screen Music Credit: Adhesive Wombat -
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This video presents the Gigabyte R9 290X Windforce OC graphics card, highlighting its non-reference design and enhanced cooling solution. The card features a 1040 MHz boost clock and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 5 GHz, with a suggested price premium of about $70 over a base model. A standout aspect is the six-heat-pipe, triple-fan Windforce cooler, designed around Gigabyte's triangle cooling concept to redirect airflow up and away from the PCB for improved thermals. The reviewer notes a 450-watt cooling capacity and mentions a slightly non-reference PCB with changes that could affect overclocking and performance. The card supports AMD technologies like Crossfire through PCI Express, multiple displays via a display hub, and Mantle API, with the box contents including adapters and drivers for overclocking. The host emphasizes the potential of overclocking under air cooling, discusses how temperatures interact with PowerTune performance, and compares the Windforce OC to a reference 290X and to the GTX 780 Ti, signaling strong performance gains possible with adequate fan speeds. The conclusion suggests aftermarket cooling solutions like Windforce cards are capable of outperforming reference designs, and the video invites viewer engagement on topics such as Mantle, reference cards, and future overclocking results.
Topics · technology reviews · hardware · graphics cards · computing
Questions answered
- What is the boost clock and memory configuration of the Gigabyte R9 290X Windforce OC?
- The card features a 1040 MHz boost clock and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory clocked at 5 GHz.
- What cooling solution does the Windforce OC use and how does it impact overclocking?
- It uses a six-heat-pipe, triple-fan Windforce cooler with a triangle cooling design to improve airflow and thermals, enabling higher stable overclocks under air cooling.
- What AMD technologies are supported by this card and what is notable about its PCB?
- The card supports AMD technologies such as Crossfire through PCI Express, DisplayPort hub multi-display output, and Mantle. It also features a slightly non-reference PCB with changes that may affect overclocking and performance.