Topic: Two different models of MSI R9 280X GAMING 3D with higher asic level (Read 4055 times)

Hello!
Thanks for such a detailed explanation, but, what you said is the opposite of what the GPU-Z said about asic %.

Of course what I want is ABSOLUTELY LOWER POWER CONSUMPTION, nothing else matters to me.
I never overclock my cards because i wanted to last as long as possible, I am running them right now at 1000 MHZ GPU 1500 MEM.

So, is it better then to have the lower asic quality for lower power consumption?, why GPU-Z says the opposite?

EDIT:  i have a sapphire R9 280X with 61% asic and they work 8 degrees cooler than the MSI but that could also be the cooling design, since MSI fans at 100% are 2800RPM and Sapphire are 4000 RPM at 100% so not very clear

It's way too often that people think that a high ASIC % means "high quality". This is actually the opposite though. It denotes the leakage of the ASIC (GPU core) and ties in with TBP (total board power) or TDP (thermal design power). Graphics cards are designed to run with a specific power consumption and thermal output in mind. Higher ASIC % = higher leakage = higher power consumption = lower default voltage to keep temperatures/power consumption down within safe limits. Lower ASIC % = lower leakage = lower power consumption = higher default voltage, because the manufacturers want a consistent power consumption and thermal output.

If you run an 85% ASIC video card at the same voltage as the default voltage of a 65% ASIC video card of the same make and model, and run it in furmark with unlocked/maxxed out powertune, you will find that the 85% ASIC video card will likely have temperatures spiral out of control, and likely even turn off the system (This actually happened to me when I parted out my radeon 7970 mining rigs and tested them individually). Also, because of the increased power consumption, you will stress out the VRMs much more, especially in overclocking, possibly resulting in exploding VRM chips.

Typically, you will want the lowest ASIC % cards you can find. They will have a much larger headroom as far as power consumption (and by proxy, overclocking) goes, and will typically use less power and have lower temperatures compared to a high ASIC % card. As far as stable max overclock speeds, this is still a hit/miss situation.

I bought 2 x 280X from MSI two weeks ago and they are 912-V277-067 with better VRM cooling . I was also surprised that they look different, but i'm very happy with them. Idle temps are 35 and in full load i have 72.

Hello
I just bought (after a long battle to get them into my country) 8 GPUs MSI R9 280X GAMING 3D, after checking everyone's for ASIC quality, I found out that ONE of the cards is totally different to the rest.

The rear power conectors are inverted (facing backwards), also the board's edge are rounded instead of 90 degrees.
the VRM Heatsink is HUGE! if you compare it with the other cards.
also the asic is very high 80%  (the other cards are between 61 and 74%)

any ideas of this?, anyone has seen this different model?, which one is better?

the "normal" model (the 7 I have) are: 912-V277-057
the "different, better quality asic" is:  912-V277-067

Also the card is 1 centimeter higher than the other ones.