HIS is preparing their latest Radeon R9 290X IceQ X2 Turbo Edition graphics cards. Information on this card has been leaked as it was listed on Overclockers UK. The card should be available sometime in 2014. The card features HIS’s IceQ X2 cooling solution and has factory overclocked specifications.
We do know that this card will be factory overclocked, but we are unsure of the specifications right now. It is good to know that this card will be overclocked unlike XFX’s Radeon R9 290X Double Dissipation card. HIS will be using the reference PCB and the card will get power from a 6+8pin power configuration.
The IceQ X2 cooler makes use of dual 89mm cooling fans, an aluminum heatsink stack, two 8 mm heatpipes, and three 6 mm heatpipes. As I we said this card should be available sometime in January, it was listed on Overclocked UK for £499.99.
Source: VideoCardz | News Archive
While I’m no fanboi, and will probably upgrade from my 680 next Summer, I’m awaiting more news of how the incredible heat generated by the R9 290X will be handled. If the card is still running at 94c, those fans might cool the card enough to make it more palatable but that hot air will now just go into the case. That can’t be a good thing.
Well the new Sapphire 290 tri-x runs at 33 idle and 73 under load meanwhile the stock is 33 and 94 (respectively). The stock 290x has basically the same temps cept a couple degrees higher so I have no doubt that all these aftermarket coolers will easily be able to shave off 15-20 degrees under load.
And if you have proper cable management and decent airflow it shouldn’t make too much of a difference if it’s being blown into the case.