Review: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X

Conclusion

We've waited what feels like an eternity for custom-cooled Radeon R9 290-series graphics cards, but now that they're here, we feel it's safe to say they've been worth the wait.

One of the first cards out of the block is Sapphire's R9 290 Tri-X, a triple-fan solution that ultimately makes a mockery of AMD's reference cooler. Under-load temperature is reduced by over 20 per cent, noise is lessened, and to top it all off, the card is faster thanks to overclocks on both core and memory.

A price tag closer to £350 would have made Sapphire's card particularly convincing, but even at £380 - with Battlefield 4 included - this is a high-end solution that will serve you well for years to come. Very, very fast and adept at gaming at ultra-high-resolutions, the Sapphire R9 290 Tri-X should certainly be considered for your next high-end gaming rig.

The Good

Faster, quieter and way cooler than reference
Factory overclocked on core and memory
Is almost as fast as much pricier cards
Bundled with Battlefield 4

The Bad

Looks are an acquired taste

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Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X

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The Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X graphics card is available to order from Overclockers UK.

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