Does Hynix/Elpida memory matter for gaming with 290x?

[straKK]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy the best 290x I can strictly for gaming. I had ordered an Asus DirectCUII 290x until I happened upon some forums saying that 290xs with hynix memory could be memory overclocked 15-20% higher over 290xs with Elpida memory. I then canceled my order and have been researching what the best 290x card is. My questions are:

is there an aftermarket card available that is consistently built with hynix memory?

Does the difference in memory actually even matter for gaming?

What is the best aftermarket 290x? I'm under the impression that the DirectCUII 290x is the best one, however from what I've read on other forums it comes with Elpida memory.

Thanks,
straKK

 

[trawetSluaP]

The MSI R9 290X Lightning is (based on reviews) THE best 290X and uses either Hynix or Samsung memory.

In tests the memory has been OC'd to 5000MHz to 6600mhz.

 

[renz496]

the only problem that i know with this hynix/epilda memory is the black screen issue on cards with epilda memory.

 

[Tradesman1]

The MSI is a great card from a strictly performance perspective, but really load and hot, both I think worse than the reference design, I'd stick with the Asus CU, much cooler and quieter and nearly as fast (OCed) without the noise and heat

 

[nikoli707]

elpida is the worse and doesnt overclock well at all. hynix and samsung are the best.

i dont think the msi lightning is worth the buy unless you plan on putting it under water.

i think the sapphire tri-x is the best bang for buck that gives you cool quiet operation, though i would just stick to a regular 290 if i was going that direction. i would only get a 290x/780ti if i was planning on water cooling and just want to hit a crazy overclock. i dont feel the small jump in performance is worth the extra cost.

 

[xzerqiin]

I wouldn't say worst, rather smaller chance of draw luck when having an elpida, I've had both elpida and hynix and I must say hynix gives better chances of draw luck than elpida.

My current r9 290x is elpida but I wouldn't say its the worst as it could bump 1400 Mhz mem (voltage locked). Some others cant even pass 1250 even though its hynix.

If you go MSI Lightning basically its the best apple that you can have when we talk about how its built and the number of power connectors it has.

You should put your trust on the OEMs how they hand picked the core (if they did) because most r9 290x cant go pass 1150 some 1200, worst case are those stuck at 1100.

 

[xzerqiin]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy the best 290x I can strictly for gaming. I had ordered an Asus DirectCUII 290x until I happened upon some forums saying that 290xs with hynix memory could be memory overclocked 15-20% higher over 290xs with Elpida memory. I then canceled my order and have been researching what the best 290x card is. My questions are:

is there an aftermarket card available that is consistently built with hynix memory?

Does the difference in memory actually even matter for gaming?

What is the best aftermarket 290x? I'm under the impression that the DirectCUII 290x is the best one, however from what I've read on other forums it comes with Elpida memory.

Thanks,
straKK

I wouldn't say worst, rather smaller chance of draw luck when having an elpida, I've had both elpida and hynix and I must say hynix gives better chances of draw luck than elpida.

My current r9 290x is elpida but I wouldn't say its the worst as it could bump 1400 Mhz mem (voltage locked). Some others cant even pass 1250 even though its hynix.

If you go MSI Lightning basically its the best apple that you can have when we talk about how its built and the number of power connectors it has.

You should put your trust on the OEMs how they hand picked the core (if they did) because most r9 290x cant go pass 1150 some 1200, worst case are those stuck at 1100.

Sorry for rebumping thread, I just thought this would be a good reference to others.

 

[Shredder962]

What the hell is this hogwash. My Asus Radeon R9 270 can get to the maximum clock of 1100MHz and 1500MHz on the memory with Elpida.

There is no luck of draw with the hardware, it's more the drivers.

 

[Tradesman1]

Yes, it is often the luck of the draw, GPUs are same as CPUs, some are better than others, DRAM is the same also some memory ICs are better than others - the one constant is the drivers, same drivers are available to everyone