Sapphire Radeon RX 9070 XT Pulse

[Macro Device]

It actually doesn't matter if it's plastic or metal, the only thing matters is the quality of said material. If plastic that can do the job exists then what's the problem?

Didn't inspect the build quality of anything current gen because prices make them not worth it anyway. Even at MSRP, these are horrible purchases. At 2x MSRP I got here? No way, dude, just no way. This market was begging for small, loud, inexpensive and reasonably built GPUs for the whole 2020s and neither party is giving us that. Shame.

 

[LabRat 891]

Thanks Sapphire for the reference design, now let's work towards the MSRP price and an ITX friendly card with a full chip but not so hot clocked, 2 fans, 220w. XOXO

RX 9070 Nano?
Full-fat Navi48 XTX core - sub-9070 clocks - PCB-length cooler?
Yes, please.

Most 9070's PCBs aren't very long to start with, and de-tuned Navi48 is extremely power efficient.
-Seems plausible.

 

[Chrispy_]

Seriously, a negative point for "no RGB lighting"? Come one W1z, you can't be serious with that.

This is a plus, not a downside! It's a no bs reference card.

NGL, I'm a grumpy, grey-bearded old bastard by the standards of you whippersnappers but it's refreshing to see support for RGBLED-free products.

When I was in my twenties, full-acrylic cases with custom cables and cold cathodes were cool not because of how they looked but because they took a lot of effort to pull off and not look like ass. At the time, cases were beige, although black and silver were starting to become available as mainstream options.

[OPINION]
These days, rainbow LED everything is everywhere. It's so common that it's boring AF and to me that means that RGBLED is a negative point more than ever because it costs more, adds zero performance, and doesn't do anything to make your PC look unique or special. It's just a tax on the PC industry for the sheeple.
[/OPINION]

You don't have to agree with me, but it's polite these days to recognise that "one size does not fit all" and there are a few companies who do think "one size fits all" and that size is overpriced RGBLED.

 

[_roman_]

#75 too bad i can not watch over some people shoulder when they open a device and than critise them when they break things. I think a troll or just lucky or just lack of work experience.
Did I quote laptops and compared it? Learn to read before you quote me, thanks
Or just learn to watch repair videos before you write nonsene. I talk from work experience.

we can also talk about how injenction molding material age. (hint)

 

[Ninehell]

Seriously, a negative point for "no RGB lighting"? Come one W1z, you can't be serious with that.

[OPINION]
These days, rainbow LED everything is everywhere. It's so common that it's boring AF and to me that means that RGBLED is a negative point more than ever because it costs more, adds zero performance, and doesn't do anything to make your PC look unique or special. It's just a tax on the PC industry for the sheeple.
[/OPINION]

I need to sleep too, so no RGB can't be bad.

It will take month or two to see any 9070xt selling here. All I can find are bunch of random smuggled from somewhere with scalp price

 

[LittleBro]

When it's this quiet and this cool, does it really matter?

It might be a combination or product of multiple sensors (VRM, Core avg, Core Hotspot, VRAM), which would explain why it doesn't track exactly. There could also be some slow hysteresis in the fan curve that would have a similar effect.

You only see GPU temp in the graph, not GPU hotspot or VRAM temps. GPU temps is one of least importance here.
The thing is, it may be cool & quite, until shit hits the fan ...

This is from Gamers Nexus video:

Fans are at ~ 1100 RPM (lowest) while hotspot and memory temps are at their highest. Only one thing can explain this - throttling or other reason for clocks lowering down.

Throttling? If it weren't for throttling, what else would cause clocks to go down under sustained load?
If power limit were a limiting factor, then than initial hop past 2.91 GHz should not be allowed, I guess.

 

[Chrispy_]

You only see GPU temp in the graph, not GPU hotspot or VRAM temps. GPU temps is one of least importance here.
The thing is, it may be cool & quite, until shit hits the fan ...

Fans are at ~ 1100 RPM (lowest) while hotspot and memory temps are highest. Only one thing can explain this - throttling or other reason for clocks lowering down.

Throttling? If it weren't for throttling, what else would cause clocks to go down under sustained load?

Are you talking about the very very gradual decline in clocks from 2800 to 2779 after the initial spike, or the initial spike?
That brief spike to 2910MHz isn't representative of the sustained load, it's not a valid part of the sustained load test, but a necessary part as the test obviously starts from "cold".

 

[Random_User]

Thanks for the review! Almost perfect card for me, except some major points. Been waiting for it, much more, than Nitro+. Yes it has a bit mor sturdiness over this one. However the 12v 2x6 garbage connector (the electric part doesn't matter), and complete absence of the physical VBIOS switch, and just two more fases, makes it pointless. Also, N+ basically, could as well hold two 8pin ATX connectors, or eve three, as it has plenty of space, or could even get a couple cm longer PCB, considering the ~$200 price hike.

Surely, the Pulse version lacks the easy fan removing solution. But on the other hand, if the fins got clogged by dust "fur", or just became relatively dusty, it would require to dismount the shroud anyway. And this lazy Nitro+ seems does't add any reasonable features, over this "fine enough" Pulse version anyway. Doesn't worth to overpay for a painted shroud, and the useless RGB, which adds no value at all.

Also, the two HDMI is clearly way too much for my preference.

No RGB lighting should also be listed amongst the positives

Absolutely. Not having it on the device, not only leads to lover price, heat and power consumption, but also doesn't add up the cost for R&D and compatibility for the various RGB solution.

Also, it could have the RGB as both Cons and Pros, as it's basically the taste related feature, and having it this way, would please every "side".

Two hdmi connections are two dead connections. HDMI has to die. It belongs to television rooms and game consoles and television equipment. A graphic card with only two connections is useless.

Yeah! HDMI is pointless. Should be at least 3 DP. Correct me if this is wrong, but AFAIK, HDMI outputs are still being converted from DP, which is native/primary onnection for every graphic cards and motherboard.
But I guess, I could live with this, if I had the card for the MSRP. Still better than most 9070 XT alternatives, maybe except PowerColor Reaper.

 

[Octopuss]

My Nitro+ 7900 XTX does have RGB bar and I actually quite like it and have it turned on, BUT I would still not list lack of any RGB as a negative.

Btw the Nitro+ brick is actually awesome. I mean, I presume the cooler is identical design to my 7900 XTX, and aside from the width is works really well. It's stable, has tons of heatsink capacity and cools the memory as well. Oh, I need to find better thermal pads for that part.

 

[rusty caterpillar]

My Nitro+ 7900 XTX does have RGB bar and I actually quite like it and have it turned on, BUT I would still not list lack of any RGB as a negative.

Btw the Nitro+ brick is actually awesome. I mean, I presume the cooler is identical design to my 7900 XTX, and aside from the width is works really well. It's stable, has tons of heatsink capacity and cools the memory as well. Oh, I need to find better thermal pads for that part.

It think the 9070 XT Nitro has a lighter heatsink than the 7900XTX Nitro, you just have to weight your 7900XTX I guess, the 9070XT has 1.8kg.

 

[Mr. Stein]

I bought a 6600 Pulse, a 6700 10GB Pulse, a 6700XT Pulse, a 6800XT Pulse, and a 7800XT Pulse.....

I've also had a 6800XT TUF, a 7800XT Nitro, and a 7900XTX TUF - but if there's a choice I will buy the Pulse because it's always top-quality essentials with no frills and I hate paying for frills that offer only cosmetic improvements because I'm the kind of guy who puts his PC under his desk. I don't even look at it it to press the power button - I can feel that without bending down under the desk.

I concur. Running a Pulse RX570 in HTPC rig now. I've had good luck with AMD/Radeon vid cards. My only Nvidia card burned out, plus my beloved Voodoo 5500 died as well. RIP 3DFX

 

[Random_User]

My Nitro+ 7900 XTX does have RGB bar and I actually quite like it and have it turned on, BUT I would still not list lack of any RGB as a negative.

Btw the Nitro+ brick is actually awesome. I mean, I presume the cooler is identical design to my 7900 XTX, and aside from the width is works really well. It's stable, has tons of heatsink capacity and cools the memory as well. Oh, I need to find better thermal pads for that part.

RDNA3 Nitro+ are still quite the handsome cards. And yet, the were having just two 8 pin connectors, while consuming even more power, than 9070 XT.

 

[TSiAhmat]

RDNA3 Nitro+ are still quite the handsome cards. And yet, the were having just two 8 pin connectors, while consuming even more power, than 9070 XT.

I am pretty sure it has 3x8 pin connectors

 

[Random_User]

I am pretty sure it has 3x8 pin connectors
View attachment 392188

Yeah! Correct! The XT and XTX has three of them. But GRE has two, while having comparably same TBD as "reference"/"MSRP" 9070XT. But yeah, it's still pretty doable, and acceptable, even with way shorter PCB, than 7900XT/XTX, due to narrover die, lesser VRAM chips amount. Also, the cable isn't located in the dumb spot, with the cable liying above the hot fin stack, and pretty horrible bend angle.

 

[TSiAhmat]

Yeah! Correct! The XT and XTX has three of them. But GRE has two, while having comparably same TBD as "reference"/"MSRP" 9070XT. But yeah, it's still pretty doable, and acceptable, even with way shorter PCB, than 7900XT/XTX, due to narrover die, lesser VRAM chips amount. Also, the cable isn't located in the dumb spot, with the cable liying above the hot fin stack, and pretty horrible bend angle.

have to agree, I stay away from that connector as far as I can. (My PSU also doesn't support it) I've seen the 9070 xt Nitro+ in stock for basically the msrp of that model (834,39 € i think) for a good while.
I don't think its as popular this time around.

 

[AusWolf]

So, this is effectively 'the reference' model then?

Not really. 3 slot cooler, and a 315 W power limit instead of AMD's 304 W.

The Powercolor Reaper is much closer to "reference" being only 2 slot wide, and with the standard 304 W.

Seriously, a negative point for "no RGB lighting"? Come one W1z, you can't be serious with that.

Personal tastes, I guess. It's a positive for some, negative for others.

But "DLSS being better"? With FSR 4, where the difference is nearly indistinguishable? C'mon now...

 

[rusty caterpillar]

Not really. 3 slot cooler, and a 315 W power limit instead of AMD's 304 W.

3 slot card 9070 XT S. Pure, but actually heatsink is 2 slot with just a taller mounted shroud." Devil is in the details"

Chipped away some costs

 

[AusWolf]

3 slot card 9070 XT S. Pure, but actually heatsink is 2 slot with just a taller mounted shroud." Devil is in the details"



View attachment 392251

Chipped away some costs

What good is a dual slot cooler if the shroud mounted on it makes it a 3-slot one? I'll never understand why there's so much gap / air in most of our modern cooler designs.

 

[LabRat 891]

Not really. 3 slot cooler, and a 315 W power limit instead of AMD's 304 W.

The Powercolor Reaper is much closer to "reference" being only 2 slot wide, and with the standard 304 W.

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reference PCB design leaks out, mirrors Sapphire PULSE - VideoCardz.com

This is how AMD’s unreleased reference design looks without cooler The AMD reference design is something we all wanted to see in real life, but the company decided against launching its own model to the market. Instead, AMD opted to work with partners on their cards, which is not a bad thing...

videocardz.com

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Reference PCB Design Revealed via Leak, Compared to Similar Sapphire PULSE Board

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 "MBA" models have turned up for sale through Chinese black market channels; with local PC hardware enthusiasts quickly snapping up these "reference design" curios—for "scientific" analysis, and in some cases: bragging rights. Officially, Team Red has relied on...

www.techpowerup.com

It's very very very close...

 

[AusWolf]

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reference PCB design leaks out, mirrors Sapphire PULSE - VideoCardz.com

This is how AMD’s unreleased reference design looks without cooler The AMD reference design is something we all wanted to see in real life, but the company decided against launching its own model to the market. Instead, AMD opted to work with partners on their cards, which is not a bad thing...

videocardz.com

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT Reference PCB Design Revealed via Leak, Compared to Similar Sapphire PULSE Board

AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 "MBA" models have turned up for sale through Chinese black market channels; with local PC hardware enthusiasts quickly snapping up these "reference design" curios—for "scientific" analysis, and in some cases: bragging rights. Officially, Team Red has relied on...

www.techpowerup.com

View attachment 392287View attachment 392288

It's very very very close...

Do you think that's legit? It's probably just a homemade mock-up based on the Sapphire Pulse.

 

[Lew Zealand]

But "DLSS being better"? With FSR 4, where the difference is nearly indistinguishable? C'mon now...

Agreed, the quality differences are now narrow enough but there's still a big difference elsewhere: market penetration. IMO this is still a downside of FSR so if something is going to be mentioned, for accuracy's sake it should be "available in fewer games than DLSS" or something similar.

 

[AusWolf]

Agreed, the quality differences are now narrow enough but there's still a big difference elsewhere: market penetration. IMO this is still a downside of FSR so if something is going to be mentioned, for accuracy's sake it should be "available in fewer games than DLSS" or something similar.

That's probably going to change soon. Pretty much every new game gets both DLSS and FSR these days.

 

[Lew Zealand]

That's probably going to change soon. Pretty much every new game gets both DLSS and FSR these days.

I really hope so. Positive note: An update to Ark SA (never use a sh**show as an example but anyway...) just got FSR added back into the settings. It was hiding in console commands and FSR Framegen was auto-enabled previously but being able to turn on and off FSR scaling in the regular Settings menu had been missing for at least 6 months.

 

[AusWolf]

I really hope so. Positive note: An update to Ark SA (never use a sh**show as an example but anyway...) just got FSR added back into the settings. It was hiding in console commands and FSR Framegen was auto-enabled previously but being able to turn on and off FSR scaling in the regular Settings menu had been missing for at least 6 months.

That's on the game dev, not AMD.

 

[LabRat 891]

Do you think that's legit? It's probably just a homemade mock-up based on the Sapphire Pulse.

To me, the supposed MBA Navi 48 they're comparing to, legitimately looks like an Engineering Sample card.

Considering the past cards I've examined of SAPPHIRE's -It's likely real.
Very commonly through the years, Sapphire has taken 'reference' PCB designs, made minor changes, and sold it as their own.
(IMHO, nothing wrong with that. IIRC, XFX took one of the past MBA Reference cooler designs, and sold it as its own, too.)