Introduction



MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G, which is MSI’s latest custom designed graphics card based off AMD’s Radeon R9 290 GPU make into our test lab for the performance bench. With the new custom cooler, MSI claim that it will remove noise and heat bug as a graphics card is the single most important element for more FPS. As gamers, we understand that not just any graphics card "will do". This MSI Radeon R9 290 GAMING 4G comes equipped with a factory GPU clock of up to 1007MHz in OC Mode with 4GB GDR5 memory running at a 6.0GHz effective rate and features the flagship MSI Twin Frozr IV cooling system. MSI installed a military grade component with Hi-C Cap, Solid Cap and Solid State Choke and effectively increase graphic card lifespan and better energy efficiency. MSI also has their “Gaming App” which is essentially one button overclocking, or the inverse being a silent mode. Out of the box the card runs at the ‘gaming’ clocks. Not even that, MSI comes with new feature called Experience Predator, A built-in screen and video capturing tool named Predator which captures screen as still images or videos with the push of a button and allows user to capture and record their coolest, goofiest and most awesome gaming moments on their PC!

Product Link: http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R9_290_GAMING_4G.html
Suggest Retail Price: RM1649 (ViewNet Pricelist 4/4/2014)

Specification

Unboxing
MSI Gaming Series retail packaging maintains their silver dragon with black and red theme in front of the box as their gaming trademark.


On the bottom left of the front box, MSI highlighted OC Edition to make a pre overclocked performance out of the factory and Advanced Twin Frozr IV as the card cooling system.


At the side case, user can found the card equipped with 4GDDR5 and support DirectX11.2 and the infamous 4K screen resolution.


Flipping over the box shows user few features such as Gaming App, Military Class IV Component, Twin Frozr IV and Predator App.


First look inside the box is where all the accessories located inside a second box with a MSI Gaming logo on the center.


Accessories and bundles:
+ Quick User’s Guide
+ Dual Molex to 6 pin adapter
+ MSI Hybrid Bios Introduction card
+ 6 pin to 8 pin power adapter


Beneath it is the lair of the monster, the MSI R9 290 Gaming graphic card inside antistatic protective pack sitting in cut foam to keep it safe.


Here the first look at the MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G with a dual 92mm fans slot Twin Frozr IV Cooler. The Twin Frozr design uses four heatpipes to pull the heat from the GPU out over the heatsink where the fans can dissipate the heat quicker.


The MSI Gaming Series logo can be found on the middle top of the card with a silver dragon as their gaming statue trademark.


R9 290 Gaming has a full black backplate around on the back side of the card. The backplate support more structure and also as a protection from any damage during handling. Installing the MSI logo on the backplate upside down was a nice touch idea, when installed that will read perfectly.


This card provide up to 4 way of display connector:
+ Display Port x1
+ DVI Output x2(Dual-link DVI-D)
+ HDMI-Output x1 (version 1.4a)

This post has been edited by shah93: Nov 15 2014, 06:45 PM

The card designed with 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe power connector to power up this monster which provides a maximum theoretical power draw of up to 300w


The card fan shroud design is actually really open when you look beyond the side view and see that there is room for air to vent on the top side and bottom of the card. The heatsink is designed to push air down over the heatsink.


The Twin Frozr design uses five ‘SuperPipes’ heat pipes to pull the heat twice as fast as regular heat pipes from the GPU out over the heatsink where the fans can dissipate the heat quicker. Furthermore, MSI provide all new Airflow Control technology on Twin Frozr that leading airflow to heat pipe by special deflector on heatsink, so it can deflect more airflow to heat pipes directly.


The MSI R9 290 Gaming 4G comes with a metal shroud above the PCB to deflect some of the hot air blown downward by the fan and add a bit of rigidity to the card. Some of the VRM’s and memory are cooled via the heatsink and a dedicated plate underneath.


Front view of the monster card.


The back of the card after the removal of the backplate .


Additionally, the R9 290 Gaming is based off AMD’s latest flagship Hawaii class GPUs


The card is powered with 7+2 PMW Phase output. Additionally, MSI also using 10-year solid capacitors, super-efficient Hi-C CAPs, and solid state chokes which increase the card lifespan


As for memory, the MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G includes 4096MB of overclocker preferred chip, Hynix H5G02H24AFR GDDR5

This post has been edited by shah93: Nov 15 2014, 06:52 PM

Test bench

This is the setup that we used for the whole testing and benchmarking process for the MSI Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G card.


MSI Afterburner


MSI Afterburner is a software created for mainly overclock user graphic card. It’s a useful software that allow to optimize clock speed, voltage, power limit, memory clocking and even manually control the fan speed of a gpu. MSI create the World First Triple Over-Voltage which subbed into Core Voltage ,Memory Voltage and Aux Voltage. Not only that, this software came up with several other features for Benchmark that powered by FurMark technology and Monitor on the right side of software which provide helpful information of Clock, voltage, temperature, fan speed, fan tachometer, frame rate real-time monitor and support Real-time On-Screen-Display information to user while gaming.

Overclock Performance

During the test we manage to mild overclock the card and let it running stable at 1107 MHz which is 130MHz higher than stock clock.


The highest temperature was recorded at 84 degree by stressing using FurMark Burn-In Test for 15 minutes.

Overclock Benchmark Result

With the mild overclocking clock increase of 130MHz. The result shows in increasing score by 8% in performance.


Extreme Preset|Resolution 1920 x 1080


Extreme HD Preset|Resolution 1920 x 1080


1080p Test | Resolution 1920 x 1080

This post has been edited by shah93: Nov 15 2014, 07:12 PM

Game Benchmark


Maximum Setting | MVSS and HBAO, High Tessellation | Nvidia 32X CSA A |1920 x 1080


Maximum detail Preset | Resolution 1920 x1080


Ultra Quality Preset | Anti Alias 4X MSSA | Resolution 1920x1080


Ultra Quality Preset | Resolution 1920x1080


Highest Quality Setting | Resolution 1920x1080


Highest Quality Setting | Resolution 1920x1080


Highest Quality Preset | DirectX 11, Very High Tesselation | Resolution 1920x1080


Ultra Preset | 4x MSSA | Enhanced full dynamic lightning DirectX 11 | Resolution 1920x1080


High Preset | Tesselation Enable | 8x Anisotropic | Resolution 1920x1080

This post has been edited by shah93: Nov 15 2014, 07:07 PM

Conclusion
MSI's Radeon R9 290 Gaming 4G definitely improves on the AMD reference design with its more powerful Twin Frozr IV thermal solution and gives a nice stable and quiet experience compared to how the 290 was released in stock form. Cooling was one of the hardest challenges faced by graphic card maker but MSI manage to maintain low temperature while in high clock. The MSI Afterburner software is proven as one of the powerful tool for overclockers to tweak their card and have a unique 3 voltage control configured features build in. At a relatively small price tag of RM1649, it's quiet on running, capable of some mild overclocking, and even under overclock, the maximum load temperature is quite acceptable. There is almost nothing not to like about the MSI R9 290 Gaming from performance, appearance until the price value.

Performance: 4/5
Materials: 5/5
Specifications: 5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Performance/Price Value: 4/5

Pros:
+ Overclocked out of the box
+ Easy to further overclock
+ Included an awesome MSI Afterburner
+ Informative user guide manual
+ Dual BIOS
+ Very quiet in idle

Cons:
- High on load temperature
- Noisy under load
- Power cables difficult to unplug

This post has been edited by shah93: Nov 15 2014, 07:14 PM

i have this card and its ez to overheat till 90c >.<

It's not overheating, it's normal temperature for R9 290/290X/390/390X
I had R9 390 Strix last time, the load temperature is 92°C

Then I finally switch to PowerColor Devil R9 390X with built-in watercooling, now the highest temperature on full load is only 62°C

what do u think if i change the thermal paste n add thermal pad?

i wish i have that card 2 damn nice

Wouldn't help
I did the same thing on my R9 390 STRIX, only 3°C differences

mine also 80C on SF V even i change thermal paste, clean it, better case airflow from the front.
dont worry, it wont go boom.

Yeah, that's why lots of my friend which using 290 and 390 series pair up with ID Cooling 240G or NZXT G10.. max temp maintain below 60 HAHA

haiz.... its it because an AMD? Or the Nvidia is better never reach 90°C? or specific model only


haha i ordered a fan to add better airflow i guess it still the same.

i guess need to wait until warranty end then to add those cooling kits.

Not sure about MSI but ASUS Malaysia allows using 3rd party cooling on their graphic card as long as you don't incur any phsical damage

Go ask MSI la: https://www.facebook.com/MSIHQFANCLUB/?fref=ts