![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Monday , June 08, 2015
- Author:
- Grady McKinney
- Editor:
- Brent Justice
- Share:
XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition 4GB Video Card Review
On our test bench today is the XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition video card, sporting a factory overclock and the Ghost Thermal 2.0 Double Dissipation cooling system. Join us as we put this video card head to head against the ASUS GTX 970 STRIX OC, to determine which provides the better gaming experience and value.
Introduction
XFX is a well known company among PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts. It is a division of PINE Technology Holdings Limited. The XFX manufacturing branch specializes in high-performance PC hardware with a focus on gaming products including AMD and NVIDIA graphics processing units and motherboards.
On our test bench today is the XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition.
Despite the age of this video card, about a year and a half since the R9 290X launch, it is still AMD's flagship high-end fastest single-GPU. The price has come down considerably from where it originated, and has pricing as low as $270 after $30 MIR. This model is currently a little higher priced, at $349 after $30 MIR.
In this price range, the AMD Radeon R9 290X is now in direct competition with NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 970 on pricing. The GeForce GTX 970 is currently going for as low as $329, and most are available for under $350. We will be using the ASUS GTX 970 STRIX OC video card to directly compare performance.
XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition Video Card
One of the key features of this video card is the factory overclock that XFX ships it with. While a reference R9 290X will run up to 1GHz on the core, this is overclocked to 1050MHz. That means a 50MHz boost right out of the box. The memory runs at the standard speed of 5GHz. This video card is equipped with 4GB of memory, so in some cases you are capable of playing some games with a 4K resolution.
This video card is also equipped with the new and improved Ghost Thermal 2.0 technology, or cooling system. This includes a floating heatsink design, that allows for a larger airflow, removing more heat from the board. This is imperative during our overclocking, as we will want the lowest temperature possible to ensure stability and consistency.
XFX also uses Duratec professional grade components. These are some of the highest quality components mounted on the board, that ensure precise power delivery, card life longevity, and improves the overall performance of the board. XFX states with the double dissipation design, and quality components, that this video card can run 13db quieter and 7c cooler than the competitors.
This AMD based GPU can also perform many other cool tricks. With AMD Eyefinity technology, users can enable up to 6 displays off this video card alone. The XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition can also support Steroscopic HD3D, which is essentially 3D gaming, and a few other applications. This is also compatible with the newest DirectX technology.
The XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition can be yours for $349 after $30 MIR at Newegg. This includes a lifetime limited parts and labor warranty. You can read more about the XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition here.
XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition Pictures
The XFX R9 290X Black OC Edition comes packaged in a smaller box, but is well prepared to ensure safety during shipping. The accessory package included with this video card includes a driver install CD, a quick start guide, a 6-pin to 4-pin power cable, and an 8-pin to 6-pin power cable.
XFX recommends a 750W power supply to ensure this video card operates properly. It requires an 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe power connector, located along the top edge at the rear edge of the board. The rear I/O panel houses two dual-link DVI-D connectors, one DisplayPort adaptor, and an HDMI port. The video card measures 11.16 inches in length, 5.6 inches in height and 1.65 inches in width.