ASUS Radeon R9-290X Matrix review - Introduction

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 03/25/2014 09:30 AM [

In this review we will benchmark and test the ASUS Radeon R9-290X Matrix Platinum edition. This Radeon R9-290X has been overhauled from A to Z. Yeah, the GPu might have remained in-tact, however the graphics card received an all custom 14-phase digital VRM based PCB, a luxurious cooler, some James Bond style gadgets for the hardcore overclockers and next to that, the product has been factory overclocked towards a nice 1050 MHz on the GPU core. Interesting stuffz we say !

The 2816 counting Shader processors based Hawaii chip is paired with a nice 4 GB GDDR5 memory running along a 512-bit memory interface. The card will clock towards 1080 MHz but is clocked at reference clocks on the GDDR5 memory. Hmmm, I just catch your attention ? Yeah I figured that much, let's go and check 'r out shall we ? So what does a Hawaii GPU bring into the garphics cards ? Oh what about 6 Billion transistors on a 438 mm² Die, 512-bit Memory bus with 4 GB - 5.0 Gbps GDDR5 memory, Ultra HD ready, 5.6 TFLOPS of compute performance. Not bad for keywords, eh? AMD also has been focusing strongly at gaming in Ultra High Definition (UHD), so this will be a focus in our review as well. Will we be able to play the hottest games at that whopping 8.2 Mpixels at a 3840x2160 resolution @ 60 Hz.

This Lucifer amongst graphics cards is one of the more high end versions that ASUS has to offer and comes with a customized PCB, a phat dual-slot cooler and for the pro-overclockers LN2 options. Armed with dual 8-pin power connectors and a Molex connector this board has a 14-phase DIGI+ VRM for the GPU with another two for the memory subsystem, covered by an impressive yet silent cooler protective is manages to impress. The Matrix Platinum will also have a nice backplate cover to protect the backside SMT soldered components. ASUS clocked this 290X towards 1050 MHz on the GPU boost core. That combined with increased core and memory clock frequencies and nice overclock potential will make this the top 599 USD flagship product to purchase.

The R9-290X Matrix Platinum Monitor outputs include Dual-DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs. But let's say hello to the Radeon R9-290X Matrix from ASUS first. This is the 4GB model. Have a peek at the product we test today and then head on-wards into to review.

32 pages 1 2 3 4 next »

ASUS Radeon RX 460 STRIX Gaming 4 GB review
We review the ASUS Radeon RX 460 STRIX Gaming 4GB. The graphics card is positioned in the budget range and will perform at entry level gaming wise. ...

ASUS Radeon RX 470 STRIX Gaming 4 GB review
We review the ASUS Radeon RX 470 STRIX Gaming 4GB, based on the second ASIC based of Polaris 10, the Radeon RX 470 with 4GB graphics memory is bound to impress for the money. Join us in this article w...

ASUS Radeon R9 390X STRIX 8G review
We review the ASUS Radeon R9 390X STRIX. The card's equipped with that renamed Hawaii GPU, now called Grenada. Thanks to a huge triple slot air cooler based on the new DirectCU III design the product...

ASUS Radeon R9 Fury STRIX review
We review the ASUS Radeon R9 Fury STRIX, this cut-down version of the Fiji XT GPU comes with the new ASUS DirectCU III air-cooler. Armed with 4GB HBM memory we'll have a look as to how the product ...