XSPC Razor R9 290X

[24601]

^ If this cooler is the same as th 280x's then the vrm cooling should be quite good. I would say better than most. The heatsink itself looks pretty stout and the support bracket on the back of the PCB ensures decent pressure. I wonder if they have some type of thermal pad on underside of the the back bracket to aid with cooling?

Hopefully they do something like this for the 290/290x fully custom.

Especially those nice tantalum capacitors you see in that photo

It's obvious that the AIBs CAN do things well if forced to like with the Nvidia Greenlight program, as seen in that ravishingly beautiful GV-N78TGHZ-3GD

Let's hope they don't purposefully fall on their faces because AMD/ATi didn't force them to make non-crap designs.

http://videocardz.com/48319/asus-radeon-r9-290x-directcu-ii-makes-first-appearance

ASUS definitely didn't care about their VRM cooling, as they use a floating VRM heatsink and normal capacitors.

 

[Silverforce11]

Depends on the mosfets used, good ones don't even need cooling. The reference board just has enough without much spare, which is another reason why they run very hot. From the cooling HSF to the PCB, it looks like they took the 7970 design and slapped on the R290/X die, not cool, IMO.

 

[Slomo4shO]

OK with 2 cards I'm looking at a 280x60x140 rad with 2 PMP-400 pumps in series running the cards parallel feed in a single loop - Right?

If you are only running a single rad and two cards, why do you have a need for two pumps? Why not just pickup a single D5 pump?

 

[chimaxi83]

If you are only running a single rad and two cards, why do you have a need for two pumps? Why not just pickup a single D5 pump?

This, you don't need dual pumps OP.

 

[Z15CAM]

Thanks

I did change out the 280x30x140 rad for a 280x60x140mm rad for future proof - on back order so it will a while.

 

[Slomo4shO]

Thanks

I did change out the 280x30x140 rad for a 280x60x140mm rad for future proof

You are better off picking up a 45mm rad and running push/pull if the 60mm rad will only allow for push.

 

[Z15CAM]

What an argument 1 Pump Vs 2 Pumps in series - I'll do it for $80 including the Cross Over for the Koolance 401X2 providing I can run 2 x's R9 290X's at 1.44v's with a 280x60x140 rad in the future.

The Rad is Fixed. Now why can I not have a more positive flow with dual pumps in series?

It will cost another $750 if I elect for another XSPC Razor 290X.

Thinking LTC Mining to cover the cost.

 

[Fastx]

. One thing I will add is if the AIB Partners are allowed to modify the R9 290X PCB and relocate the VRM or add more of them to reduce heat for descent off-set voltage then it will be a different story but not without additional costs.

Since I ended up selling my cards I been researching and collecting info on 290/290x AIB's and came across the below info so they (or least one AIB so far) are making changes regarding the VRM's .

MSI has packed the PCB with room for a massive VRM design

 

[Z15CAM]

Merry Xmas - My packages came in Xmas Eve but can't pick them up till the 27th - Really looking forward to completing my Water Build and see if I can post results before New Year ;o)

 

[Z15CAM]

Sish! My Black ICE 280x60x140 radiator didn't come in - Another Delay.

That XSPC Razor 290/X GPU WB is nice quality and one heavy piece .

NO matter what I do, I can NOT break a 3000 score in Unigine Valley using either 156 or 162mV at say approx 1200/1500 clocks - averaging a 2995 score (So close ;o) with either the Reference Cooler or the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III - The Xtreme III Vrm1 Temp scares me at over 105C with GPU temp below 70C; the Ref-Cooler keeps the VRM's under 85 but the GPU Temp is at 94C - NO Win Scenario.

Card is a Reference Gigabyte R9 290X with Alpida vRam which isn't happy above 1500Mhz's with these temps.

 

[chimaxi83]

Sish! My Black ICE 280x60x140 radiator didn't come in - Another Delay.

That XSPC Razor 290/X GPU WB is nice quality and one heavy piece .

NO matter what I do, I can NOT break a 3000 score in Unigine Valley using either 156 or 162mV at say approx 1200/1500 clocks - averaging a 2995 score (So close ;o) with either the Reference Cooler or the Arctic Accelero Xtreme III - The Xtreme III Vrm1 Temp scares me at over 105C with GPU temp below 70C; the Ref-Cooler keeps the VRM's under 85 but the GPU Temp is at 94C - NO Win Scenario.

Card is a Reference Gigabyte R9 290X with Alpida vRam which isn't happy above 1500Mhz's with these temps.

Overclocked CPU? Valley likes high clocks.

 

[Z15CAM]

Overclocked CPU? Valley likes high clocks.

There's a difference between clocking 1300 Mhz @ 384-Bits and say the same clocking at 512-Bits - So Unigine is clearly not equal. Besides, I only run video benches with my i7 2700k idling at 1600 Mhz's - Do you want one with it pegged at 4.8G's?

Unigine Valley is bent towards nVidia so we can't really can't compare the two. So keep Unigine Bench scores to compare same GPU's.

Has anyone broke a 3000 score with and AMD Single GPU R9 Ref or AIB card - Not under water and perhaps a card with Hynix to boot with whatever mV off set you use?

I've come with a 1200/1500 @ 156mV averaging 2995 Unigine Valley score with the Reference R9 290X (Alpida vRam). Can any AMD owner beat this score under AIR - If so, how did you do it?

Not saying Valley Water Mark AMD Scores are not appreciated.

I'm planing on equaling the nVidia Single GPU 384-Bit/3Gb vRam Vs the AMD R9 512-Bit/4Gb vRam solution with the Enigine Valley Bench with whatever voltage it takes as long as the chip don't throttle - Is it Possible?

I'll buy the latest Games and play them at 1440p with no reservation on a Samsung 120Hz PLS 27" display and an i7 2700K pegged at 4.8G's once I break that Unigine 3000 score.

In this comparison Clocking using the Unigene Bench is only relevant to the specific card.

I've made enough stink in reference to Samsung/Hynix Vs Alpida vRam in this forum - Until then that's my Game.

Sorry for my dyslectic meaner but that's the way I am and I truly appreciate all the attention and input Anandtech Forum Members have contributed to my thread.

 

[Z15CAM]

It's been 6 weeks waiting from NCIX.CA for a Black Ice SR1-280 Silent Revision 1 Dual 280mm on back-order. I phoned NCIX and e-mailed HardWare Labs that make the product a week ago inquiring as to a date when the product would be available and have received no conclusive answer; so, I ordered a Coolgate CG280 - Radiator from FrozenCPU and in the process of cancelling the NCIX order.

Gotta say that Coolgate CG280 looks like a great product 3 Core, 7 FPI, Optional inlet/outlet and has a drain plug plus has the STD 15mm Fan spacing which means I don't have to fabricate to install it into the front of my Fractal ARC Midi R2. Only have to drill a hole in the bottom of the ARC Midi Case to drain the system ;o)

For a 280 x 60mm Rad the 3 Core/7 FPI Coolgate CG280 looks ideal for 140mm lower pressure fans and Quiet Operation (Italian) - $82.99 US.

Specifications:

15mm Fan Spacing ;o)
Weight: 1360 g
Liquid Volume: 481 ml
Pressure Tested: 1.5 Bar
Dimensions: 332 x 142 x 60 mm
7 FPI (Fin per Inch):
Material: Copper Fins, Brass Chambers
Screw Thread Length: 6.0mm 30mm

Apparently for a few dollars more you can get these with a Copper Plated finish.

Has more options then the Korean made 2 Core Black Ice SR1-280 priced at $114.95 US.

NOTE: Has the Corsair 20mm Fan Spacing and 9 FPI fins - Known for Quality & Finish - Practicably Unobtainable here in Canada.

The EK-CoolStream RAD XTC (280) also appears to be a descent 280 x 60mm rad for $84.99 US

Reliable older 2 Core design with 10 FPI fins requiring Higher RPM/Hi-Pressure Fans. Probably more suited for 120mm Fans. I believe it has the STD 15mm fan spacing.

To review my loop it consists of a Ref Gigabyte R9 290X / XSPC Razor R9 290X waterblock with backplate / Koolance RP 401x2 reservoir with one 400-PMP / Coolgate CG 280mm Rad / 2 x's Noctua NF-A14 PWM - Lots of room to expand into a 2 or perhaps a 3 loop system if I keep the Corsair H110 AIO on my i7 2700k.

Patience - Patience ;o)

PS: I see Aquacomputer Kryographics is making a nice Water block for the Hawaii Radeon R9 290X.

 

[Z15CAM]

I was hoping to get this XSPC Razor R9 290X running today BUT just as was about to bolt on the WB I realized I did not have a 4-Pin PWM Fan Connector (Male) to 4-Pin Mini GPU Fan Connector so I order 2 of them online and will not receive much before Feb 10th - %*#% - Sish! - PATIENCE PATIENCE.

Got my trusty old GTX 280 in the box now.

I do have the 280x60x140 rad mounted nicely in the front of the ARC Midi R2 using the NF-A14's in pull. I left enough room to mount either a Plenum or 2 more NF-A14's if I decide to go push/pull in the future. The Koolance RP-401X2 is also mounted with pump.

Just waiting for the GPU PWM to Fan connector now.

I will upload PIC's of the final project and post Valley Benches with Temps when completed.

 

[chimaxi83]

You have a serious lack of planning skills dude. Why do you need connectors for the GPU fans if they're getting full cover blocks?

 

[Z15CAM]

Why do you need connectors for the GPU fans if they're getting full cover blocks?

Rather then omitting the connector and running the fans manually, I want some sort of Thermal Control to vary the speed of the fans relative to the temperature of the GPU. Would not the Video Cards Temp Sensor be an ideal source to control the speed of either a variable speed Pump or PWM Fans on a Rad using a constant speed pump, which I plan on using?

Remember, the CPU is presently cooled by a separate system with a Corsair H110 AIO using a 280x30x140 rad mounted in the top of the case.

The GPU will be cooled alternately with Custom System. I know a 280x60x140 rad is an over kill for a single GPU but I want options to expand. The Koolance RP-401X2 is capable of running 2 Rads on separate loops using 2 pumps. Say I keep the GPU on AIO - Technically I could run 3 loops using 3 rads but I would sooner run 2 pumps in series through the 280x60x140 Rad for SLI or CF and PWM Fans off the hottest card.

The Midi ARC 2 is capable of running 9 x's 140 fans and 2 x's 120 fans with 2 x's 280x60x140 in push/pull leaving room for an Optic Drive, 3 HDDs and as many SSD's you want including the PSU and Koolance RP-402X2 in the other 5.25 bay leaving room for 2 x's GPU's in SLI or CF. The case is designed amazing well for $70.

 

[Silverforce11]

The GPU thermal control don't really apply to water cooling since temps are so low to start with, if you left it on default it will barely speed up.

Best to put them into a fan control unit with a dial/slider for you to manually control, or plug it into PWN outputs from the MB to control via software. My case has two sliders for controlling fans/pumps, I run them on minimum when I want no noise and crank it when its mining (still pretty damn quiet at max!).

 

[Z15CAM]

The GPU thermal control don't really apply to water cooling since temps are so low to start with, if you left it on default it will barely speed up.

Silver: I agree but would not a Custom Fan Profile from say AB or TRIXX work using the GPU PWM interface to auto control the Fans within the limited Temperature Range of water cooling?

For example you make a custom profile in AB such that: The GPU idles at 28C with fans spinning at 600rpm, at 30C the Fans ramp to 800 rpm, at 40C the fans ramp to 1200rpm and anything above 50C Fans run at 100%. This would , other then HWMPro monitoring CPU & GPU Temps in SysTray, ease you from monitoring temps and eliminate the need to manually turn a potentiometer or move a software slider.

I can do it either way but I do want that 4-Pin PWM Fan Connector (Male) to 4-Pin Mini GPU Fan Connector on the GPU PCB as an option before I bolt on the WB.

I've been very patient and waiting another 2 weeks won't kill me - I think - LOL

 

[MrK6]

The program you want is SpeedFan, it does all of that and more: http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

 

[Z15CAM]

Thanks MrK6 I've been meaning to looking into Speed Fan.

 

[dragantoe]

gelid icy vision, my friend got that for his 290 and it cut his temps in half

 

[smithkt]

gelid icy vision, my friend got that for his 290 and it cut his temps in half

He already has a full cover waterblock ready to go, so.....

 

[rgallant]

It's been 6 weeks waiting from NCIX.CA for a Black Ice SR1-280 Silent Revision 1 Dual 280mm on back-order. I phoned

http://www.dazmode.com/store/
I use this guy for water parts and never had a issues.
might pay little more but he'll use Canada post for me ,and takes 1-3 days max.
in my area just north of Toronto ,fedex,ups etc. have no local drop off anymore ,if your not home [or pay the ups store $10.00+ for redirecting the shipment fu]ups will send it back after 3 attempts.[taken days of work before]
CP drops the items a few blocks a way at a PO outlet in a store with long hours, works for me.
never a a stock issue if it said 2 items ,he has 2
-order 20 parts you get the 20 or they would email you not like ncix order 20 and get 5,or their sister co. directcanada sent me 5 shipments with 1 fan gasket in it. for the 5 missing ones from a order lol.
-talked to him once about o rings for koolance qdc that kept cutting the o rings and I did not buy them there and he then started stocking them.[koolance wanted $32.00 for shipping 10 x o rings to canada]
plus I'll help the little guy if I can.

 

[deathbyburrito2]

Speedfan does work very well once configured properly. My Crossfire 290s and cpu are all in the same loop. Using Speedfan I am able to set the fan/pump speed profile based on the temperature of each component (gpu1, gpu2, cpu). Speedfan can than use the max speed out of the three. It would pobably be simpler to do what you are planning however for a single gpu and using AB or something to setup fan profile.

 

[rgallant]

Silver: I agree but would not a Custom Fan Profile from say AB or TRIXX work using the GPU PWM interface to auto control the Fans within the limited Temperature Range of water cooling?

For example you make a custom profile in AB such that: The GPU idles at 28C with fans spinning at 600rpm, at 30C the Fans ramp to 800 rpm, at 40C the fans ramp to 1200rpm and anything above 50C Fans run at 100%. This would , other then HWMPro monitoring CPU & GPU Temps in SysTray, ease you from monitoring temps and eliminate the need to manually turn a potentiometer or move a software slider.

I can do it either way but I do want that 4-Pin PWM Fan Connector (Male) to 4-Pin Mini GPU Fan Connector on the GPU PCB as an option before I bolt on the WB.

I think your over thinking things , if the loop is set up for low noise ,low temps never/why get software in there. 600 rpm to what ever[1200] will never make a 20c difference imo
-maybe a flow meter -no flow shut system down.
and a water temp sensor to a fan controller.
just saying what if software fails-remember overheating cards when I forgot to check a box years ago for a fan profile.
-won't touch speed fan with a 10' pole
-I would think the gpu fan output is only good for one small fan

-I saw 35c once on my cards