14 DAY TRIAL // I've seen my share of high-end video boards and custom coolers, but most of them still use 6 mm or 8 mm copper heatpipes, or nickel ones. The one that ASUS has just previewed are different though.
Instead of those sizes, the heatpipes on the dual-fan DirectCU II cooler (on is a CoolTech fan) covering the Radeon R9 290X are 10 mm thick, or at least two of them are (there are four in total, the others of 8 mm if we're seeing things right).
ASUS also installed Super Alloy Power technology on the video card, rendering the video board more stable even in heavy overclocking.
Speaking of which, the card is most definitely factory-overclocked, or will be. We don't know the specs though.
Finally, the ASUS R9 290X DirectCU II will ship with a PCB strengthening bracket. No idea when though.
