The first non-ref R290/R290X spotted

[happita]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125500

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125499


The prices are extremely inflated due to the crypto currency mining craze. I just sold my 5850, so I'm just running off my Intel IGP until prices lower to a reasonable amount for these aftermarket cards. What do you guys think? When do you think demand will finally slow down and prices stabilize?

 

[sulfur]

We've spotted Trix, DCU2, Windforce 2 or 3 days ago in british shops.
Now TRI-X and WF are also available in Poland. I did not saw DCU2 version yet. But prices are amazing high... "Tax for news" :F

 

[DarkOCean]

lol @ the prices.

 

[Crap Daddy]

Buy a 780. You also get 3 great games for much less.

 

[erocker]

Crypto-currency needs to die. Lol.

 

[Xenturion]

I don't mind cryptocurrency; I just wish the work done was tied to something useful, like World Community Grid or Folding@Home.

I've been waiting for the non-reference R9 290s because they represent so much value for money at their ~$430 MSRPs. But at $570, it's a hard sell. I think, in addition to the cryptocurrency demand, retailers have realized that with Nvidia not budging on the 780, leaving it at $500 despite the 290 matching it at $400, that they can charge $500 and still move the cards. If they all do it, it represents a nice premium opportunity to be made on each card.

I hate to wait longer, but at this point, I have little choice. I want the 290 for Mantle, the 4GB frame buffer (as future proofing), and the great compute performance for WCG. The 780 is definitely a consideration. If prices wind up a little closer to $500, I may just grit my teeth and buy one. Definitely kicking myself for not buying the reference ones at $400.

 

[happita]

I hate to wait longer, but at this point, I have little choice. I want the 290 for Mantle, the 4GB frame buffer (as future proofing), and the great compute performance for WCG. The 780 is definitely a consideration. If prices wind up a little closer to $500, I may just grit my teeth and buy one. Definitely kicking myself for not buying the reference ones at $400.

I'm in the same boat as you. I actually bought a reference Sapphire, but quickly cancelled my order before they shipped it out when I heard non-reference cards were coming not too long afterwards. It sucked when I saw R9 cards skyrocket the prices through the roof.
On one hand, you could have gotten it at $399, slapped a premium aftermarket cooler on it for an extra $40-$70 and it's still cheaper than what they are selling reference cards at right now. BUT, you lose the warranty.
On the other hand, you have non-reference cards with great coolers and some are factory-OC'd and still retain their warranty in case the card ever bites the dust.
It's kind of a double-edged sword really. I hate waiting just for the sole fact that I could actually be using those cards for what games I have at the moment. It's not that I don't have the money, I just don't like being swindled into paying more for what something is worth IMO. It's not AMD's fault really, it's the retailers that price gouge like crazy.

 

[Bo$$]

Looking out for one of these!

 

[Vlada011]

This model will crash many GTX780Ti OC Profile because NVIDIA not support any more overclocking.
But never mind, soon will their CEO to show up to present new half locked reference chip with 0.015mV possibility for 700-800$.
Last year they launch 3 or 4 such premium cards.

If someone wait non reference Radeon this can be interesting with attention on memory manufacturer.
If they give 1300-1350V in Afterburner they will beat and GTX780 and Titan and GTX780Ti OC Profile except for LN2.
Soon we will OC only Intel Extreme and Radeon...without serious modding in most case useful for gaming.
First 8+8+6 pin Radeon on the world. If they launch such card not only with 8+8pin.

 

[Ahhzz]

I'm in the same boat as you. I actually bought a reference Sapphire, but quickly cancelled my order before they shipped it out when I heard non-reference cards were coming not too long afterwards. It sucked when I saw R9 cards skyrocket the prices through the roof.
...
It's kind of a double-edged sword really. I hate waiting just for the sole fact that I could actually be using those cards for what games I have at the moment. It's not that I don't have the money, I just don't like being swindled into paying more for what something is worth IMO. It's not AMD's fault really, it's the retailers that price gouge like crazy.

Oh, I'm absolutely waiting. as for the games I could be playing, I don't have to have one at this point: the games I have are running. The Star Citizen and Elite releases will see me biting the bullet, but I can afford to wait until then easily, pun intended