Alphacool Sapphire Pulse 7900XTX Waterblock clarification

[kapone32]

I am hoping that Eddy will respond. I bought a Sapphire Pulse 7900XTX and already have a loop. I use the Alphacool Quick connect tubing so all I need is a Waterblock for the card. I have 1 question about Alphacool specifically. There are 2 blocks available one is for the Nitro-X card and the other says it is for the Toxic. The issue is there is no Toxic card (so far) for the 7900XTX. What I need to know is if either of those blocks will work with my Pulse card. I plan on removing the backplate when the card arrives and am willing to load pictures of the back of the PCB if that helps for screw placement. In looking at the card it seems to be based on the Nitro but the Toxic manual is vastly different than the Nitro in terms of where the screws go for the PCB and backplate. Please help!

 

[eidairaman1]

I am hoping that Eddy will respond. I bought a Sapphire Pulse 7900XTX and already have a loop. I use the Alphacool Quick connect tubing so all I need is a Waterblock for the card. I have 1 question about Alphacool specifically. There are 2 blocks available one is for the Nitro-X card and the other says it is for the Toxic. The issue is there is no Toxic card (so far) for the 7900XTX. What I need to know is if either of those blocks will work with my Pulse card. I plan on removing the backplate when the card arrives and am willing to load pictures of the back of the PCB if that helps for screw placement. In looking at the card it seems to be based on the Nitro but the Toxic manual is vastly different than the Nitro in terms of where the screws go for the PCB and backplate. Please help!

Tag him in @EddyAlphacool

 

[EddyAlphacool]

We are currently lacking information on the PCB of the Pulse. I can't find any pictures of the PCB at the moment so that we can take a look at it. Or do you have any links where we could see the PCB?

 

[kapone32]

We are currently lacking information on the PCB of the Pulse. I can't find any pictures of the PCB at the moment so that we can take a look at it. Or do you have any links where we could see the PCB?

My card is due to arrive today. I will be willing to upload pics to this thread. I also could find no links to the PCB. I guess this card did not do the review cycle.

 

[EddyAlphacool]

@kapone32
That would be great.

 

[kapone32]

I just got the card thought some preliminary would help. I have to check my Screwdriver set to see of I have a head for the silver screws.

 

[kapone32]

I do have a head for the screws but I did a visual inspection and I do believe the Nitro and Pulse cards share the same PCB with some of the board not populated for RGB and the fan header on the Nitro. There is a Rubber gasket on the only screw point that does not match up. I have already placed the order for the Nitro block and look forward to seeing what my card can do. If it works I will let TPU know as the Sapphire Pulse 7900XTX is (was) the only card available on Newegg Canada. When I take the card apart I will take pictures of the bare PCB. I do have a question though, how does the thermal paste that comes with the block compare to Noctua NT-H2 paste?

 

[Solaris17]

I think he wants pics of the actual disassembled PCB so they can actually look for changes. They would need to be clear as well I’m assuming.

 

[kapone32]

I think he wants pics of the actual disassembled PCB so they can actually look for changes. They would need to be clear as well I’m assuming.

When I take the card apart I will take pictures of the bare PCB. I did not want to take the card apart just to put it back together.

 

[duplissi]

Got it taken apart yet?

 

[EddyAlphacool]

I think he wants pics of the actual disassembled PCB so they can actually look for changes. They would need to be clear as well I’m assuming.

That is correct, we need pictures of the PCB from both sides.

 

[75Vette]

Any news on this? I've got both the GPU and block on order - keen to know if they match

 

[duplissi]

Bump.

I don't want to open my card until we know for sure. Unfortunately sapphire has an outmoded and backwards warranty policy, that if you disassemble the card your warranty is void... Which is bullshit.

 

[kapone32]

Bump.

I don't want to open my card until we know for sure. Unfortunately sapphire has an outmoded and backwards warranty policy, that if you disassemble the card your warranty is void... Which is bullshit.

Ok, update the Nitro block will work with the Pulse. There is one screw position on the backplate that is not filled but all of the heads for the GPU, Memory and VRM are exact. The card actually has 2 paper spots for the retention bracket but is straight forward to disassemble. I think the Warranty application depends on where you live and you would be returning it to your retailer as we are still on a Extended return schedule.

 

[ir_cow]

Not be rude, but the pictures can't be blurry as well. it won't help much if you cannot see what the PCB looks like.

 

[kapone32]

Not be rude, but the pictures can't be blurry as well. it won't help much if you cannot see what the PCB looks like.

It is the resolution of my Camera on my Phone. Admittedly I am not a huge fan of Cell phones.

 

[cvaldes]

The camera resolution is adequate as some of the photos are sharper than others.

The problem here is the photographer's technique; hand holding is clearly creating blur in some shots. Better lighting would allow for faster shutter speeds. Better physical support would also help.

It's worth pointing out that many people here get decent shots with similar cellphone camera hardware. The problem is technique, not the hardware itself. Photos #2 and #3 are useful. Photos #1 and #4 are poor.

Unlike film based cameras, for digital photography there is no penalty for taking multiple shots. Just keep taking shots until you get a good one and then delete the bad ones. That's what the pros do anyhow. They don't post crappy photos.

Note that being lazy/indifferent to not demonstrate the patience to take a clear photo has nothing to do with camera hardware, at least for inanimate subject matter like PC hardware.

You can blame your hardware if you're shooting birds or action sports. It's worth pointing out that all professional photographers also use smartphones if/when the situation calls for it.

It was really Annie Leibovitz who was one of the first to bring smartphone cameras to the limelight. People constantly asked her about what camera to get and she would pull out her iPhone and say "this is what I use."

If Annie Leibovitz grabbed your phone and took a bunch of shots, they would likely be better than yours. That's because of her knowledge of the craft, technique and artistry, not the hardware.

Don't blame your hardware. Notre Dame Cathedral was built without backhoes, Skil-Saws and CNC machines.

 

[duplissi]

Ok, update the Nitro block will work with the Pulse. There is one screw position on the backplate that is not filled but all of the heads for the GPU, Memory and VRM are exact. The card actually has 2 paper spots for the retention bracket but is straight forward to disassemble. I think the Warranty application depends on where you live and you would be returning it to your retailer as we are still on a Extended return schedule.

No clearance issues?

Unfortunately the retailer I purchased it through (aaawave.com), implemented an "all sales are final policy" for in demand items (to stop scalpers from returning gpus I think). So any after sales support will have to be through sapphire.

 

[75Vette]

Found a review of the Pulse with PCB pictures. Looks good for fitting the block, and also the power controller and phases seem identical to the Nitro+, so when bios flashing goes live I think we'll have a nice little upgrade.

Small core curve savior? Sapphire RX 7900 XTX OC Platinum Review | Graphics Card | nvidia | amd | Chip | xtx_NetEase Subscription (www-163-com.translate.goog)

@EddyAlphacool

 

[duplissi]

good find @75Vette

 

[EddyAlphacool]

Based on the pictures, it "might" fit. But no 100% guarantee on this statement.

 

[UsernameGoesHere]

Would Alphacool manufacture a compatible waterblock if a customer were to mail them a Pulse (or other GPU variant they currently don't have a waterblock for)? Or at least verify if an existing waterblock fits?

 

[EddyAlphacool]

@UsernameGoesHere
We are always happy to get pictures of PCBs, so from both sides of the card to at least visually check if an existing cooler would fit.
Then we have the program "Send it and get one cooler for free". However, due to insurance reasons and customs fees, we only offer this within Europe.
Whether we make a cooler for a card or not depends on the popularity of the card. Unfortunately, the comments in forums here absolutely do not reflect the actual sales figures of the cards. We check this via partner shops and other sources. Because we need to be able to sell a certain number of units to make it worthwhile for us.

 

[75Vette]

@kapone32 Hi OP - Did you get around to fitting your block?

 

[kapone32]

Sorry I have been enjoying the machine. Ok A bit of a story. The block did arrive but my XTX had issues. I returned it for a replacement but there are none in stock so I got the XT. I can confirm that the Alphacool Nitro block works with the Pulse no problem. There is 1 backplate screw position at the top that is missing but that is for the ARGB strip that the Pulse does not have. So whether it is the XT or XTX Pulse will fully work with the Nitro block.