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Review: PowerColor Devil 13 Dual Core R9 290X

by Parm Mann on 26 June 2014, 16:55

Tags: PowerColor (6150.TWO), AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacfyb

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Conclusion

PowerColor's Devil 13 Dual Core R9 290X holds the performance promise that it's two-chip composition intimates ... but there are compromises elsewhere.

Knowing that a single R9 290X can become hot and bothered under load, we once wondered if an extreme dual-GPU version would ever happen.

It did, back in April 2014, with the introduction of the R9 295X2. Circumventing any heat-related concerns, AMD's engineers created the world's fastest graphics card by eschewing a traditional air cooler in favour of a closed-loop liquid cooler.

With two integrated pumps and cold-plates attached to a 120mm radiator, as well as a heatsink and fan providing dedicated cooling for other onboard components, the R9 295X2 was able to harness the power of two R9 290X GPUs and deliver it in a premium package that defied the odds to deliver fast and smooth performance combined with relatively-low temperatures and acceptable noise.

At the time, we stated that "common sense informs us that building an air-cooled version of this card would entail performance compromises that AMD simply didn't want to make." Fast forward a couple of months and that assumption has, for the most part, proven true.

PowerColor's Devil 13 Dual Core R9 290X holds the performance promise that its two-chip composition intimates, and a healthy memory overclock further strengthens its appeal, but there are compromises elsewhere. Despite the colossal cooler, the Devil 13 runs extremely hot and loud, is very thirsty, and ultimately costs more than a liquid-cooled alternative that's readily available.

You can't help but admire the extravagance, and we're impressed that PowerColor faced-up to the engineering challenges imposed by running two R9 290X GPUs on a single, air-cooled PCB. However, it goes without saying, this card is only suited to those willing to contend with the trade-offs applicable to ultra-extreme graphics hardware.

The Good

Is mighty fast
Looks formidable
Capable of gaming at 4K
Overclocked frame buffer
Bundled Razer Ouroboros mouse

The Bad

Huge three-slot design
Gets extremely hot and loud
Throttles when stressed
Costs more than an R9 295X2

HEXUS.where2buy

The PowerColor Devil 13 Dual Core R9 290X graphics card is available to purchase from Overclockers UK.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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Nice to see frametimes added to the Hexus reviews now.
How long till someone gets the memory on a 295X2 to run at 5400MHz, for the fastest single card solution around?
Excellent review, however 780Ti SLI would have been better than 780, but more importantly a 290X in crossfire made the most sense to compare to.

If I had to go single card I'd go for the 295x - cooler, cheaper, and runs quieter; the price premium for this over it isn't justified.

But that is just not a scenario that's ever going to happen, a person who could afford this, unless for some reason they just HAD to have a microATX build, they're gonna have 2 card potential, and I'd go for dual 290x and save Ā£400. Although actually it'd be a hard choice because even if they are better cards, Nvidia tend to have better drivers, and longer support for SLI so I'd pay the premium and get 780Tis…but that adds another problem…3gb vs 4gb VRAM, if you're going to do 4K the 4GB is a must…ah choices choices, truly a first world problem ha.
`We're looking forward to seeing what the Dual Core R9 290X can do, especially against the R9 295X2, so it's a question, really, of air vs. liquid.`

Liquid will always be the most efficient cooling solution, which is why you sweat, rather than fart, when you get hot.
This is very impressive to see Powercolor do achieve those temperatures with 2 290Xs on air. But Powercolor are like Lamborghini's. They're mad, mad as Dr. Rictofen but you can't help but admire their work.