MSI ha annunciato la video card di fascia alta Radeon R9 290X LIGHTNING, una soluzione non reference che ottimizza le prestazioni della gpu R9 290X (Hawaii XT) di AMD e promette performance di tutto rispetto in termini di overclocking grazie alla personalizzazione spinta del PCB e del sistema di cooling eseguita dal noto maker asiatico.

Il core grafico della gpu Hawaii XT, che integra 2816 stream processor, lavora di default a 1080MHz mentre il frame buffer, realizzato con 4GB di RAM G-DDR5, a 5GHz; il bus che interconnette il processore grafico alla memoria on board è a 512-bit.

La predisposizione della card all'overclocking è stata conseguita dotando la Radeon R9 290X LIGHTNING di tre connettori per l'assorbimento della potenza elettrica dalla PSU, uno a 6-pin e due a 8-pin; il VRM, i cui componenti sono distribuiti su entrambi i lati del PCB, rende inoltre disponibili dodici fasi dedicate alla gpu, mentre il ricorso a componenti discreti di elevata qualità ("Military Class 4") assicura buone doti di stabilità operativa.

Il cooler della video card implementa la tecnologia proprietaria TriFrozr Thermal Design: include tre ventole, heat pipe e un'ambia regione lamellare, e promette la stabilizzazione termica di tutti i componenti cardine della scheda. La Radeon R9 290X LIGHTNING integra anche un BIOS aggiuntivo (Liquid Nitrogen, LN2) che spinge l'hardware ai suoi limiti fisici in abbinamento a un sistema di raffreddament basato sull'azoto liquido.

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The all new MSI R9 290X LIGHTNING has been upgraded and improved to deliver the fastest single GPU graphics experience. With dozens of improvements across the board, the R9 290X LIGHTNING epitomizes the no-holds-barred overclocking attitude that drove the development of world's fastest single GPU graphics card.

The design reminisces of MSI's greatest Lightning series graphics cards, like 2x 8-pin and 1x 6-pin power connectors on board guaranteeing a minimum of 450W available for overclocking. The TriFrozr Thermal Design has been optimized to more efficiently dissipate heat from the GPU and on-board components to ensure class-leading results. The GDDR5 memory on the R9 290X LIGHTNING has been optimized in cooperation with AMD to deliver the best overclocking results whether cooled on by air or through extreme cooling like Liquid Nitrogen (LN2.)

MSI OC Series
The MSI R9 290X LIGHTNING is the first product to bear the new MSI OC Series logo which should be a clear indication of the enormous potential of the card in the hands of extreme overclockers. Featuring 12 GPU phases in an innovative solution to deliver the most stable voltages to the GPU when pushing extreme benchmarks. This is done through laying out the VRM components on both front and back side of the PCB. The optimized memory configuration promises new levels of memory overclocking on AMD's R9 series. Extreme overclockers can use the special LN2 BIOS on the card to reach for overclocking records without special hardware modifications.

On-board and in control
With the 3x OC kits you're in complete control of the R9 290X LIGHTNING. V-Check points allow you to accurately measure GPU, Memory and PLL voltages. Triple Temp Monitor checks the real-time temperatures of the GPU, Memory and PLL while Triple Overvoltage allows you to over volt those same components in order to achieve higher clock speeds.

The best components
Equipped with Military Class 4 components, the R9 290X LIGHTNING is built to withstand the toughest conditions, like sub-zero freezing or the high temperatures that occur when exorbitant amounts of power are used to crush world records. Because only the best components can provide the continued support of multiple world-record attempts.

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