Sapphire Reference 290x Non-Reference Air Cooler?

[Sasqui]

I have a Sapphire R9 290x reference card and cooler. It's currently got a EK full cover waterblock, but I'd like to go back to air cooling since I'm moving the card to a different system that's not WC'd. The reference cooler is a complete POS. Loud and will throttle under load.

What good non-reference coolers fit onto a reference 290x PCB? I'm searching for one on eBay and not sure what to look for.

 

[Capitan Harlock]

Some GPU coolers from Arctic cooling are compatible with the 290x https://www.arctic.ac/eu_en/products/cooling/vga.html

 

[eidairaman1]

I think gelid and akasa have some too

 

[Sasqui]

I was considering an aftermarket solution, but I'm specifically looking for cards models that have "out of the box" non-reference coolers on a reference PCB card.

There are a few coolers only for sale on eBay that were taken off either a bad card, or someone switched to watercooling. But I don't know which ones fit on an R9 290X reference PCB

 

[Supercrit]

You absolutely need a good VRM sink with any of these aftermarket coolers mentioned as they usually have monstrous gpu cooling power but flimsy VRM sinks that will slowly cook your card while your gpu comfortably sits at 70C.

The best you can get without digging deeper is Sapphire Tri-X's cooler (fits reference), it has good cooling and has all the important VRM chips covered with a base plate integrated into the sink.

Few months ago someone was selling many of them for like 40USD each (on ebay), I can't find it anymore, probably sold to miners.

 

[Sasqui]

The best you can get without digging deeper is Sapphire Tri-X's cooler (fits reference)

That's the exact info I was looking for and the Tri-X's fetch a premium on eBay, I assume the cooler is quite good. +1 to the VRM cooling.

I saw a few recently sold for cheap, right now there's a few at $40-$50. I'm patient

 

[Supercrit]

That's the exact info I was looking for and the Tri-X's fetch a premium on eBay, I assume the cooler is quite good. +1 to the VRM cooling.

I saw a few recently sold for cheap, right now there's a few at $40-$50. I'm patient

Watch out that these are only fans no heatsink, the one I talked about has the whole cooling solution.

If you do have an aftermarket cooler like gelid or AC3 and you feel comfortable buying from China directly, they have people making customized base plate. These alone are about 20-30 USD +shipping though.

https://world.taobao.com/item/38499873348.htm

 

[Sasqui]

Watch out that these are only fans no heatsink

I see that now, good point.

 

[Aquinus]

Be careful to make sure that the VRAM and VRMs still have some sort of cooling, even if it's passive. I find that's usually the kicker when trying to replace a cooler on a GPU.

 

[Sasqui]

Be careful to make sure that the VRAM and VRMs still have some sort of cooling, even if it's passive. I find that's usually the kicker when trying to replace a cooler on a GPU.

Hence the quest for a cooler for a reference PCB

 

[Caelestis]

Like Capitan Harlock i would recommend using either a Arctic Accelero Xtreme III or IV. If your 290x has a backplate, you can use the Xtreme III otherwise use the Xtreme IV, which comes with a backplate.
I am using the Xtreme III on my Gigabyte 390 G1 Gaming and i couldn't be happier. It stays around 20 degree cooler and is nearly inaudible under full load.

The installation is a bit time-consuming and a few things have to be considered but it is worth it. The following video shows, how to install it and what you should keep in mind. It is in German but you should get the point.

 

[Aquinus]

Hence the quest for a cooler for a reference PCB

My point is that most of them are generic so they can fit any GPU but, that basically means that it's going to cover just the GPU. You may need some small heatsinks to cover the VRAM and VRMs with an aftermarket cooler since I would be surprised if you found an option that actually comes in contact with other components.

 

[Sasqui]

My point is that most of them are generic so they can fit any GPU but, that basically means that it's going to cover just the GPU. You may need some small heatsinks to cover the VRAM and VRMs with an aftermarket cooler since I would be surprised if you found an option that actually comes in contact with other components.

The Tri-x has all sorts of contact points for the VRM. My EK FCWS does too

 

[eidairaman1]

The Tri-x has all sorts of contact points for the VRM. My EK FCWS does too

The trix coolers fit stock cards by sapphire as the pcb are stock. Only the Vapor X uses a custom pcb

 

[Sasqui]

The trix coolers fit stock cards by sapphire as the pcb are stock. Only the Vapor X uses a custom pcb

I'd love to get my hands on one. To me, the Accelero is more of a Frankenstein solution, I've worked with aftermarket coolers before and putting little heatsinks on PCB components using thermal tape is ridiculous. Just look at waterblocks, they are a one-stop custom solution, clean and very effective.

 

[eidairaman1]

I'd love to get my hands on one. To me, the Accelero is more of a Frankenstein solution, I've worked with aftermarket coolers before and putting little heatsinks on PCB components using thermal tape is ridiculous. Just look at waterblocks, they are a one-stop custom solution, clean and very effective.

My card only has one complete cover block solution, it is from Alphacool.

 

[Sasqui]

My card only has one complete cover block solution, it is from Alphacool.

What card?

 

[AsRock]

Like Capitan Harlock i would recommend using either a Arctic Accelero Xtreme III or IV. If your 290x has a backplate, you can use the Xtreme III otherwise use the Xtreme IV, which comes with a backplate.
I am using the Xtreme III on my Gigabyte 390 G1 Gaming and i couldn't be happier. It stays around 20 degree cooler and is nearly inaudible under full load.

The installation is a bit time-consuming and a few things have to be considered but it is worth it. The following video shows, how to install it and what you should keep in mind. It is in German but you should get the point.

I have one of those, not to bad how ever when XFX sent me the 390X cooler for my 290X it was actually better than the AC cooler and on top of that did not require me to void my warranty by permanently gluing there little crappy heat sinks.

 

[Sasqui]

when XFX sent me the 390X cooler for my 290X it was actually better than the AC cooler

What model card, is it reference?

permanently gluing there little crappy heat sinks

Truth be told, I actually *broke* a 5870 card trying to install those stupid things along with an aftermarket waterblock. Never again.

 

[AsRock]

yes, the placement of parts are reference ( check specs ).

 

[Sasqui]

yes, the placement of parts are reference ( check specs ).

That's the exact 2nd 290x card I have, the R9-290X-EDFD, it's awesome. Compared to the reference card, it's well... a completely different card, lol

 

[eidairaman1]

What card?

290 Vapor X

I have one of those, not to bad how ever when XFX sent me the 390X cooler for my 290X it was actually better than the AC cooler and on top of that did not require me to void my warranty by permanently gluing there little crappy heat sinks.

I used as5 with as epoxy to make a good bond while being able to remove hs.

 

[Caelestis]

I have one of those, not to bad how ever when XFX sent me the 390X cooler for my 290X it was actually better than the AC cooler and on top of that did not require me to void my warranty by permanently gluing there little crappy heat sinks.

True, you have to void the warranty and gluing the heat sinks may be not the best solution but I am very satisfied with the result.

With the Windforce 2x cooler and the stock fan profile, my card was hitting 94 degrees. With a custom fan profile, I was able to lower it to 80 degrees but it sounded like a jet turbine.

Now, with the Xtreme III, I have at full load 66 degrees while the fans are inaudible. Also, I paid only 35€ for it.

 

[AsRock]

True, you have to void the warranty and gluing the heat sinks may be not the best solution but I am very satisfied with the result.

With the Windforce 2x cooler and the stock fan profile, my card was hitting 94 degrees. With a custom fan profile, I was able to lower it to 80 degrees but it sounded like a jet turbine.

Now, with the Xtreme III, I have at full load 66 degrees while the fans are inaudible. Also, I paid only 35€ for it.

They are good coolers, i am not trying say that. Still have mine up stairs and i bet it would perform even better if fins that are over the VRM area would make it even better.

I did this with a Scythe cooler and it improved the VRM cooling a load.

Now the XFX DD cooler for the 290X it's not great but could be improved by making that spacing. so plenty of cooling can get to the VRMs. Well the XFX 390 they did that and actually made a screw on heat sink for the VRMS to boot. AC used to do this now they are just cheap skates.