MSI GPUs at CES 2014: Massive R9 290X Lightning and More
by Jarred Walton on January 6, 2014 4:02 AM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
- MSI
- Mini ITX
- CES
- GPUs
- Steam Machines
- R9-290X
- CES 2014
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Along with notebooks and all-in-ones, MSI had quite a few large GPUs on display. The past month saw a massive shortage of AMD GPUs, thanks in no small part to the surge in Bitcoin/Litecoin prices. Couple that with the holiday shopping season and the R9 290 and 290X have been selling for well over MSRP – R9 290 today continues to sell at $500 and more, while R9 290X has pushed into the $600+ range and even the rebadged R9 280X (7970 GHz Edition) has been selling at more than $100 over MSRP.
Into that mix, MSI is releasing a gigantic R9 290X with their triple-fan and triple-slot GPU. The R9 290X Lightning should have the cooling capacity to keep the Hawaii cores running at maximum performance, but the drawback of course is that running more than two such cards in a single case will prove problematic at best. For those who are looking for the performance of the R9 290X without the noise, however, this may be the perfect solution.
Several other GPUs were also being shown, most with large 80mm or larger fans. The GTX 760 ITX is interesting as well, in that it’s a potent GPU designed for use in smaller mini-ITX cases. (And like all things mini-ITX right now, don’t forget to mention the Steam Machines whenever you encounter a product for this market.)
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Hauk - Monday, January 6, 2014 - link
No 780 ti Lightning?? :(fried - Monday, January 6, 2014 - link
No R9 270X itx ?MikhailT - Monday, January 6, 2014 - link
> The past month saw a massive shortage of AMD GPUs, thanks in no small part to the surge in Bitcoin/Litecoin prices.Huh? Can somebody explain what bitcoin's value have to do with the shortage?
GTRagnarok - Monday, January 6, 2014 - link
AMD GPUs are better at mining Bitcoins than Nvidia's. The high value of Bitcoins led to great demand for AMD GPUs, thus they were often sold out and selling above MSRP.wbensky - Monday, January 6, 2014 - link
"The past month saw a massive shortage of AMD GPUs, thanks in no small part to the surge in Bitcoin/Litecoin prices."Actually its mainly just litecoins. GPUs are useless in Bitcoin mining now since the introduction of ASICs
user29 - Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - link
Actually Bitcoin/Litecoin prices goes together like peas and carrots.wbensky - Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - link
Correct, but GPUs are hardly used to mine Bitcoins anymore. They are mainly out of stock just because of the Litecoin surge.Redstorm - Monday, February 17, 2014 - link
This thing is vaporware