Difference between these r9 290's?

[SupermanSkillz]

Hello, I want to buy this GPU but it just went up 20 euro. - http://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202043&cm_re=r9_290-_-14-202-043-_-Product

There is another one that seems very similiar - http://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129316&cm_re=r9_290-_-14-129-316-_-Product

I cant really see any difference. Is it only the looks that make them different or is there a difference with the hardware/drivers?

 

[Luminary]

Nope, pretty much identical. Same clock speeds, will have the same performance. You're paying for branding and the nifty creature on the card with the Sapphire.

 

[Gam3r01]

They are identical in terms of hardware, they are the reference cards. It comes down to which company you would rather deal with if you have to do warranty. If they were aftermarket cards that would be different.
I recommend against the reference card however.

 

[bignastyid]

Honestly you don't want either one unless you are planning on a full coverage waterblock or an aftermarket gpu cooler. The reference cooler on the 290 and 290x was inadequate so they run load and they run hot, and they have been known to thermal throttle. They disappeared for awhile when the cards with the better aftermarket coolers showed up and seem to be back. Retailers are probably hoping everybody forgot.

 

[SupermanSkillz]

Honestly you don't want either one unless you are planning on a full coverage waterblock or an aftermarket gpu cooler. The reference cooler on the 290 and 290x was inadequate so they run load and they run hot, and they have been known to thermal throttle. They disappeared for awhile when the cards with the better aftermarket coolers showed up and seem to be back. Retailers are probably hoping everybody forgot.

Oh... I have a 7850 OC so I do need an upgrade. Can you recommend another card maybe? Thanks

 

[bignastyid]

If you go with the reference 290 be prepared to have yo buy one of these
http://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186068&cm_re=accelero_xtreme_iii-_-35-186-068-_-Product
When the noise and/or the throttling gets to you. Otherwise the only other card in that price range are the 380 and the 280x.

 

[SupermanSkillz]

If you go with the reference 290 be prepared to have yo buy one of these
http://www.newegg.com/global/ie/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186068&cm_re=accelero_xtreme_iii-_-35-186-068-_-Product
When the noise and/or the throttling gets to you. Otherwise the only other card in that price range are the 380 and the 280x.

Alright, thanks. I'll look into the 380/x and 280x.