CryoVenom R9 290X Limtited Edition: When Only the Best Will Do

Since its introduction in late 2013, the R9 290X has been the undisputed fastest graphics card available.

While we squarely took aim at it with our liquid cooled CryoVenom R9 290 that offered faster GPU and memory speed than both a stock 290 and 290X, we knew there was a monster lurking in the 290X just waiting to be unleashed by our Custom Shop team.

Thus began our quest to create the best single graphics card for PC modding and gaming enthusiasts. Having already established our CryoVenom R9 290 as the leader in Radeon based cards as well as topping the best comparative card from NVIDIA, we had to redefine what the “best” actually means.

Our criteria was that it had to be superior in terms of actual real world performance, exclusivity, and just flat out geeky coolness.

After an arduous development process, our Custom Shop team once again created a graphics card that surpasses expectations and the competition... the liquid cooled CryoVenom R9 290X LE.

Understanding the numbers... speed is only half the performance equation.

If you just base a graphics card’s potential for performance on GPU and memory speed comparisons, you’re only considering half the relevant numbers. While easy to compare to other cards, you have to dig deeper and look at the number of stream processors a card has and the compute performance those processors offer.

Simply explained, stream processors can be thought of as multiple individual processors within the GPU that are used to process data. Compute performance is the speed in which those processors work.

Using intensive stress test benchmarking tools like Heaven and Valley from UNIGINE as well as 3DMark’s Fire Strike Extreme, we pushed both our CryoVenom 290 cards to their limits to see what effect speed and GPU design has on real world results.

As the chart shows, when cards are evenly matched in terms of speed, the difference in real world gaming performance is indeed affected by the GPU design. The CryoVenom 290X LE outperforms the CryoVenom 290 by 5% in Heaven, 7.3% in Fire Strike, and 7.8% in Valley.

When faster isn't faster: Getting the best in-game play experience.

To prove obtaining the best in-game frame rates and contrast ratios isn’t exclusive to the fastest speed GPU and memory, we pitted a slightly faster CryoVenom R9 290 against a CryoVenom R9 290X. In all three game simulation benchmarks, the CryoVenom 290X still delivers higher scores despite being “slower”.

Limited Edition for those that deserve the best.

To meet our goal of making the CryoVenom R9 290X LE superior to any other graphics card on the market, we created a complete package that would blow you away from the very moment you receive it. Each of the limited edition CryoVenom R9 290X LE we’ll hand build will ship to you in a custom designed and manufactured wooden crate that boldly displays a laser etched CryoVenom logo. Whether you use it as a container for hauling gear to a LAN event or storing accessories in your gaming room, it will set you apart from the crowd.

To make a visible statement that you indeed rule the gaming world, a black t-shirt emblazoned with yellow CryoVenom logos is enclosed within the crate. It’s the perfect way to “inject” some special attitude into your gaming persona. Please see the note below regarding t-shirt size information.

Ideal for liquid cooled experts and novices.

The CryoVenom R9 290X LE is the ideal competitive advantage solution for PC modding enthusiasts and gamers who have an existing liquid cooled system or those that seek a no-hassle entry into this performance upgrade. After a member of our Custom Shop team hand builds the card, the FurMark Benchmark GPU stress utility is employed to put a 100% load on each CryoVenom R9 290X LE’s GPU for an extended time period to determine the optimum overclock setting. Those unique, certified overclock specifications are included on the hand-signed build sheet so all you have to do is enter them into the Catalyst™ Control Center. Each card is then extensively pressure tested to ensure leak-free cooling reliability.

Key features of the CryoVenom R9 290X Limited Edition

Liquid Cooled for Lowest Operating Temperature: Provides maximum cooling performance for the GPU, RAM, and Voltage Regulation Module (VRM). Registers 125 degrees F under demanding conditions... up to 38% cooler than a comparable air cooled card.
Nearly Silent Operation: The card itself registers just 10dB of noise... comparable to the sound level of a pin drop.
Plug and Play Overclocking: Nothing to figure out... card is pre-tested and certified overclock specifications are provided on custom build sheet.
Warranty-Backed Extreme Performance: Unlike standard cards in which overclocking may void the warranty, the lightning fast CryoVenom R9 290X LE comes backed by a one year warranty.
Highest Quality Components Offer Highest Reliability: The water block’s electrolytic copper base is clad with a chrome appearance-like nickel plating to prevent corrosion while the precision cut acrylic top provides effective and quiet fluid flow. The CNC machined black anodized aluminum backplate protects the card’s sensitive circuit board components during installation handling while also providing additional passive cooling for the VRM.
Better Value Than DIY: Lower cost than purchasing all components separately, assembly of components, pressure testing card, and verifying overclocking performance.

CryoVenom R9 290X LE Specifications

Graphics Engine: RADEON R9 290X
Video Memory: 4GB GDDR5
Memory Interface: 512-bit
DirectX® Support: 11.2
Bus Standard: PCI Express 3.0
Core Speed: 1.0GHz or higher
Memory Speed: 5.0Gb/s
Stream Processors: 2816
Compute Performance: 5.6 TFLOPS
DVI Output: 2 x Dual Link DVI
HDMI Output: 1 x HDMI (video/audio)
DisplayPort Output: 1 x DisplayPort
Warranty: One Year

System Requirements

• PCI Express® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard.
• 750 Watt power supply or greater is recommended. 900W watt or greater power supply recommended for CrossFire in dual mode.
• 1x 150 Watt 8-pin PCI Express power connector + 1x 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector is required.
• Certified power supplies are recommended. Please refer to: http://support.amd.com/us/certified/power-supplies/Pages/listing.aspx
• 4GB minimum of system memory.
• Installation software requires CD-ROM drive.
• DVD playback requires DVD drive.
• Blu-ray™ / HD DVD playback requires Blu-ray / HD DVD drive.
• 64-bit operating system highly recommended.
• Windows Vista®, Windows® 7 or Windows® 8 operating system.
• A liquid cooling system consisting of a reservoir tank, pump, radiator fan, coolant, and coolant tubing.

A special note about t-shirt sizing and your order.

Unless otherwise specified in the "Notes and special requests" section of your shopping cart, the CryoVenom shirt included with your order will be a size XL. If you wish to have a different size, please specify S, M, L or XXL and note that quantities in these sizes are extremely limited. If we are out of stock in your requested size, you will receive a size XL shirt. There will be no exchanges for different t-shirt sizes.

Please note: The use of a silver biocide additive in a CryoVenom liquid cooling system is not recommended and may void your warranty.

NOTE: If you desire monitor to GPU syncing with a VisionTek graphics card, we recommend the use of AMD’s FreeSync solution only. Visit http://www.amd.com/en-us/innovations/software-technologies/technologies-gaming/freesync for more information.