R9-290x Waterblock Testing Results So Far

We had some hiccups with the testing after a card died. However we are back at it and have results for Watercool, XSPC and AquaComputer so far. Koolance and EK are back up next, followed by the newly released Swiftech block.

Overclocked R9-290 with PT1T no throttle bios running furmark at 1150MHz core, 1350MHz mem, +100mV core, +100mV Aux. All temperature deltas are relative to coolant temperatures.

Core Temps

Here we see Watercool and AquaComputer almost identical in their results. XSPC are lagging a bit behind which is a surprise given their performance in the Titan roundup.

Main VRM Temps

The main vrm got very hot in the Titan roundup, however the R9-290 doesn’t seem to get as hot on the VRMs.

Let’s first look at blocks without backplates – here the watercool and XSPC are doing well, while the Aquacomputer is lagging behind. However once we add in backplates the Aquacomputer does a lot better while the XSPC does worse. This is because the XSPC has no thermal pads to connect the PCB to the backplate. In other words the backplate is insulating the PCB. The AquaComputer backplate on the other hand does have thermal pads. There is also an optional heatpipe connection (this is labelled as the “Active” BP) that is then cooled by the coolant. This has a small effect and is probably not worth the extra cost.

Alternative VRMs

This small bunch of VRMs are located near the memory on the monitor connector end of the PCB. These guys do not run very hot typically and could get away with passive cooling. However here is the data if you’re interested:

Everything is under a 10C delta which is very good.

Manual VRM Probe

After the first round of data came out (before the first 290 died) the AC had already showed off the amazing benefits of it’s backplate. I had wondered if it was actually cooling the VRM but instead a temperature probe and so I decided to add my own manual probe that sat right by the VRMs:

This probe showed very similar results to the main VRM probe reading from the card itself reinforcing that AquaComputer’s backplate is indeed a good thing!

Summary

There is still more testing work to be done – I have to retest the EK and Koolance blocks, and the Swiftech Komodo block will be coming in soon too!

However *so far* the AquaComputer block is the top thermal performer!

Full reviews will be done after thermal testing is complete!