What is performance different between R9 290X and R9 290 [unlocked?]?
#1
Information 
Hi guys,

I'm considering buying a R9 290 or R9 290X. My main question is, for our specific purpose (password cracking) is there a relevant difference between these two models?

I was looking at specs and it says:

R9 290:
stream processing units 2560
Memory Type GDDR5
Memory Size(MB) 4096
Memory Interface 512 bits
Core Clock Speed(MHz) 947Mhz
Memory Clock Speed(MHz) 5000
RAMDACs 400


R9 290X:
stream processing units 2816
Memory Type GDDR5
Memory Size(MB) 4096
Memory Interface 512 bits
Core Clock Speed(MHz) 1000Mhz
Memory Clock Speed(MHz) 5000
RAMDACs 400

My questions is because there is a significant difference of price between them and there are some people that says that it's possible to unlock all the stream processors from 290 to turn into a 290X.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/graphics/di...eport.html

Anyone tested it? Recommends?

Or should I waste a few more bulks and buy the 290X?

Thanks.
#2
If you have the money then yes, 290x is the better choice. I think the figure was 50% more for 35% more speed.
#3
50% more cost for 36% more speed for 280X vs 290X.

for 290 vs 290X, it's about 20% more speed for 24% more cost. so yeah, it's worth it if you can afford the 290X.
#4
Awesome guys, thanks so much for your answer.

BTW, I remember that around 2011 HD 6990 was the TOP GPU to crack passwords, faster even in comparison with new models. Anyone have any statistics about HD 6990 and R9 290X? What is faster? Any idea about percentage?

Thanks.
#5
290X is 1-2% faster than a 6990 for 32-bit register-based algorithms, 90% faster for des-based algorithms, and 50% slower for 64-bit algorithms.
#6
Very interesting, this is new to me. Do you know where can I find a list of what algorithms are 32-bit register-based algorithms and what are des-based? I only knew the concept of slow and fast hashes.

Thanks.
#7
major examples are md4, md5, sha1, sha224, sha256 are 32-bit, sha512 and sha3 are 64-bit. descrypt, oracle 7g, etc are des-based.
#8
Thanks for answer, very appreciated.

What about for example NT, LM, NTLMv1/v2, dominosec?

I guess that 3Des goes with the des-based, right?

Is there a official list that I may check? Or anything that is different from DES applies to 32-bit register based?
#9
nt is based on md4, lm is based on des, ntlmv1 is based on both md4 and des i believe, and i can't recall the precise algorithm for ntlmv2 right now, but i believe it's based on hmac-md5.

yes, 3des uses des Wink

no, there is no official list. you just have to know the algorithms.
#10
Wow, you rock! Awesome.

Can you give me example of 64-bit algorithms? Very interesting subject.

Where come from these numbers? Your tests?

Thanks.