You've got a 920 CPU and a 290 GPU. I really hope that all your other components consist of only 2, 0 and 9
Maybe. Personally I think it's a combination of a crap cooler and cobbled together driver in a product that was rushed to the market without any real testing. I am an AMD fan boy (graphics not cpu) and even I have to admit the reference 290x is real mess.
Out of interest has anyone else got the MSI version of this card. I'm trying to check compatibility with an EK waterblock. EK website says compatible serial number is V803-842R. Serial on the box is V803-842 anyone know what the R stands for. Radeon ? Reference? It's a reference model so should fit just wondered if anyone else had experience?
That sucks Pooke ! Your Xmas prezzie too !!! Let me know how you get on buddy !. Benched my 290 in Unengine @ 1920x1200 Ultra everything... Got 1154 out of the box. Still waiting for a reply from EK and also a post on the MSI forums about Waterblock
My replacement arrives tomorow Its a swap at the door so I'm not without a card. Only bummer is that it's another Sapphire. I think it will have the same issue but fingers crossed.
If it does, have a read of the DSR/Sales of goods act, I managed to get a full cash refund on a 3 month old router from Scan as there was a common problem with them, I printed off documentation etc forums links/website links to other people with the same issue. There is part of one of the acts that states if the product is faulty within the first 6 months of purchase then its probable that the item was faulty upon initial purchase, and its up to the supplier to prove otherwise (which they can't), that's part of the act in invoked to get my refund. Just worth thinking about if the sapphire has the same issue dude, which i'm hoping it doesn't as they are epic cards, good luck and let us know how you get on !
Response from EK ! Thought I would share it ! Dear Ric, thank you for your inquiry regarding the compatibility. Yes, the aforementioned graphics card is fully compatible with our EK-FC R9-290X series water blocks. -R marking stands for retail packaging. Usually MSI carries -B (for bulk) or -R marking, but both cards are completely the same. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask! Best Regards, Niko
Nice So how hard would would it be to water cool one of these cards. I use a H60 for my CPU but I would consider investing in a small watercooling setup just for the GPU as long as it made a difference and wasnt too expensive.
It will make a big difference to a 290/290x. These cards really benefit from watercooling, particularly if running crossfire. However, if you don't already have the infrastructure to just slap on a block, setting up a loop will not be particularly cheap if you are buying all the parts new. Bear in mind you will need the following.... - Pump - Reservoir - Radiator (at least 240mm for a single card) - Block - Fans, tubing, fittings - Possibly a fan contoller If you've got the cash to do it, I would definitely say go for it. Once you have the loop it means that you can easily watercool any future upgrades.
If you are going to make the leap, do it with the intent to build upon it, don't just think about your current setup, the parts you buy now can last years once you have invested, it shouldn't be money poorly spent, I have been using the same basic components for over 10 years and not needed to switch much out bar obviously new blocks for new kit and some new fans every few years. You look to have a suitable case for a decent big rad/rads.
pondering of watercooling myself, not sure whats best just get a kit or pick indivdual parts thought sbout this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-266-XS&groupid=962&catid=1532 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-461-EK&groupid=962&catid=1520&subcat=2327
I started out with a kit and just built upon it, that kit would cope with your 290 and CPU no problem and indeed a second 290, obviously you'll need fans, appropriate holes in your case and some connector, buy assorted types of straight and angled jobbies, plus of course tubing to connect it all together.
