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We discussed the specifications of the ‘Vesuvius' design in detail already – there are basically two R9 290X cores linked together by the PLX bridge chip to create the R9 295 X2.
As we mentioned, the VBIOS switch on the card doesn't adjust any core clock or memory settings, the dual BIOS is a mirror. Catalyst Control Center indicates that the R9 295 X2 Powertune settings are configured to maintain temperatures to a maximum of 75c. This is a 20c reduction over the air cooled reference R9 290X.
As we previously explained on R9 290/X launch day, the Catalyst Control Center has been redesigned to accommodate the new PowerTune technology. Overclocking and Power are now linked into a ‘2 dimensional heatmap'. AMD have said that this design makes it easier for the end user to adjust product performance. The R9 290/X and R9 295 X2 use a dynamic engine clock and overdriving the core speed works on a percentage.
The fan speed slider has also been reworked. Previous versions of Overdrive would set the fan to a specific RPM. This new system sets an upper limit on the fan RPM but otherwise allows the fan to be managed based on demand and graphics load. At default, the fan maxes out based on the current settings of the video BIOS that was booted. Adjusting the maximum fan slider will allow the user to select a different limit.
We discussed the R9 290/X reference cooler in previous reviews and how it struggled to maintain a 95c threshold without downclocking the core clock speed. AMD partners went to work on releasing a series of higher grade coolers after AMD's launch, and for the most part have succeeded. The Tri-X cooler from Sapphire comes to mind as being one of the best air coolers we have ever tested in our labs.
That said, there was no doubt in my mind that the R9 290/X would work best if it was watercooled. Many early R9 290/X adopters did just that – removed the reference cooler and watercooled it.
When AMD told us that they were creating a R9 295 X2 with two of these cores on a single PCB we knew it would have to be watercooled.
Watercooling and a partnership with Asetek is certainly a good move, but when I saw the small 120mm radiator and single fan I did have a moment of doubt. Was this really enough for two of these hot running cores? Surely a 240mm radiator would be a more logical choice for such a hot running piece of hardware?
Furmark always causes controversy. Many people say it pushes the graphics cards to a level unrealistic when gaming. We have always used it, but only to subsidize our game load testing. If you don't value it, then ignore the results and focus on the game testing in our reviews – simple as that.
The matter is more complicated now because a lot of people have been using AMD graphics cards to mine for coins. This works in a similar way to Furmark – loading the cards to an extreme level. People who mine 24/7 have had graphics card fans fail, and power supply cables have even melted on rare occasions.
When we tested the AMD R9 295 X2 with Furmark, the core would drop and fluctuate between 800mhz and 900mhz. The temperature would rise to a steady 75c and stay there. It didn't take long for the watercooling hoses to get very warm.
Fortunately, gaming is much less intensive and we didn't notice the same level of clock fluctuation. After an hour of playing Tomb Raider we did notice the core clocks would drop a little – the watercooling hoses again got very warm to the touch.
So my initial judgement was right, the 120mm radiator does struggle to cope. We really wouldn't advise overclocking this card either as the water temperature inside the cooler would rise more, especially under extended gaming sessions. We do overclock later in the review, because we know a lot of people will want to know the results.
There are some caveats when installing the AMD R9 295 X2. Ensure you mount it either at the top or rear of the case with the fan blowing air through the radiator and out. If you have the option of adding another fan and have the additional space for mounting, do it. We didn't get time to extensively test this, but another fan in a ‘push-pull' configuration certainly wouldn't hurt.
Ideally, AMD and Asetek could have developed a larger 240mm radiator, complete with 2 x 120mm fans. It would have undoubtedly performed better. I am sure AMD will argue that if the end user was already using a 240mm radiator to cool his or her CPU, then install space inside the case could certainly be a problem.
best review of the hardware online today ! what an awesome board, and great price from AMD too!
that is a beast – im impressed with that even though I do prefer Nvidias drivers. It actually shows how much overpriced the titan Z will be.
That said, nvidia wouldn’t have to watercool their card, and they aren’t. I just hope its not too loud.
I love the looks!, can you add your own fans to the card or is the AMD fan specifically designed for the right RPM profile?
Bleh, Nvidia Z Titan will be better than this – its too much heat for a GPU, the case will get warm inside.
Well colour me impressed with this – its a monster card, wouldn’t fit in my case! Its cool to see companies doing stuff like this, even if we can’t afford it. I know I can’t afford it
Its not that expensive. two 290xs are around £900, and this has a better cooler and its water.
AMD need a pat on the back for this one.
£1000 is a bargain for this. I want one.
Im ordering one too when its out, I have a new 1000W PSU and am selling my 780. Just got a new Dell 4k screen. I am not paying over £2,000 for a Titan Z.
thats a lot of testing zardon, have you slept much in the last week ? i guess not.
Its a good card and you show it in a good light. Its basically two overclocked R9 290Xs with a watercooler, for the same price as two crappy reference boards. Hard to fault it.
AMD are hard to beat on price, Nvidia must be kicking themselves.
wow what a lot of AMD fanboys here getting their panties in a twist.
You do know that Nvidia could easily sell the titan Z with the cores at 1.05ghz right? over the reference 890mhz of the standard titan black. that would beat this based on the results i see.
Its a good price, the power demands are high, not exactly a single GPU everyone should just rush out and buy.
Good price, ill agree with everyone, but I think it needs a 240mm radiator. my mate is buying one, but will strip it down and add his own watercooling. so he says.
how much in america? $1500 ?
I think most guys will remove the cooler and use their own watercooling. I think its a pretty stupid idea to use a single 120mm watercooler. a 4770k runs much cooler with a dual radiator and thats probably not putting out as much heat as one 290X core, nevermind 2.
120mm radiator? is this a joke? what a way to f*ck up a good card. might still buy one and cool it properly! surprised ASETEK gave that the OK.
Not available anywhere, another paper launch from AMD. way to go.
I had wondered why the nvidia side was so low compared to other review sites. Your OC settings are terrible low, and your drivers are not up to date for both cards. If you are going to use beta drivers for one side, you should probably stick to the most recent beta drivers for the other side as well (i realize you may have done much of your testing before they came out, as they only came out yesterday for nvidia).
I would like to see some benchmark videos on this card, as i really am having troubles imagining a dual card performing better than two single cards. I’ve noticed this kind of pattern in previous reviews on this site and on anandtech, and guess i will just have to wait until more reviewers have their numbers out. Gratz on being one of the first though. Im willing to bet that sli 780 properly overclocked will hold up to this, but obviously that is yet to be tested.
@ BRANTYN GERIK. Why would they overclock the GTX Titan cards as a ‘standardised’ SLI test? they were SLi’d as they are sold at 890mhz (889mhz). The R9 295X2 wasn’t tested overclocked either throughout the review. Both solutions tested as sold.
The latest Nvidia drivers were released yesterday afternoon. I would imagine this review was started a week ago. they only change results by 2-5% in most instances anyway. (I have a GTX780 Ti).
I have the new nvidia drivers, they help my Titan performance in some games by around 5%, so I would imagine the performance after using this driver would be very close. I wouldn’t expect this review to use them though, Nvidia only released them yesterday and I would guess this review took about a week.
I prefer Nvidia and wouldn’t own this R9 295X2, but I think its a good idea to point out that AMD are likely to improve performance soon too, as this is the first driver for the card.
I am no fan boy, best card for the price, gets my money.
Titan Z has a lot to do now to justify that $3,000.
It just goes to show how much heat those AMD cards are putting out.
Nvidia Z? single fan in the middle. AMD? 120mm radiator, water, two pumps, fan also in the middle, still gets too hot.
240mm radiator needed. they dropped the ball.
I think this is a briliant card for the money, better than Nvidia’s,. ASUS ARES,MARS etc and watercooled.
Great looking card too and well priced. I just wish they had went for a larger raidator, my case can take two 240mms 🙁 Have you tried changing the fan and adding two quiet fans like the sharkoon dead silence zardon?
So many stupid people. Titan Z is NOT a gaming card! Its not meant to be for this audience. who the hell would spend $3,000 to play games?
@Slashwat. What are you talking about? of course people will buy the Titan Z for gaming. I own a Titan and I know the 780Ti is cheaper and just as good or even faster depending on the cooler you get.
TONS of people are buying Titans to game, probably more than those buying it to develop CUDA on. The Titan Z will be bought by very rich gamers and probably in pairs too. Nvidia know this, but get around the price with the whole double precision thing.
People who say Titan cards are not sold for gaming are so niave and reading the nvidia playbook. people want more than 3GB of memory and the status associated by using the best. Whether you like it, or even if it makes sense, doesnt matter – its true.
I think it’s time for AMD to evolve their GPU with customizable cooler. This will unlock better option in performance cooling & OC headroom