Reference R9 290 or 7970 Matrix

[Zain Cheema]

Hi all I am stuck as to which video card I should buy. Its between a 7970 matrix for £120 from a friend or an r9 290 for £115 from ebay. The only thing putting me off the 290 is the insane amount of heat that it produces cos of its reference design. Could a 7970 Asus matrix be oc'd to out perform a 290? At the moment I'm leaning towards the matrix card but I'm not sure hence why I'm asking the opinion of the forum.

 

[blacksheep123]

performance wise 290 wins
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1031?vs=1068

but since it is reference .. it will be noisy and 290 are known to produce a lot of heat