Monday, November 13th 2017
Sapphire Radeon RX Vega 64 Nitro Custom Model Pictured, Tested
It's likely that we'll (relatively) soon start to see custom models of AMD's latest high-end graphics cards based on the Vega micro-architecture. The launch and availability of AMD's latest poster child has been target of continued debate and rumors of problems, ranging from low GPU yields, to low packaging yields, and manufacturing discrepancies making AMD's AIB partners' job in creating and delivering fully custom models ever more difficult. However, the end for market absence of true custom models may be nigh, since the guys over at HWBattle have managed to snag themselves a sample of Sapphire's RX Vega 64 Nitro, and the card really is a sight to behold.
The Sapphire Vega 64 Nitro features a tri-fan configuration, as has been usual for most top-end models for both AMD and NVIDIA. The Nitro's fans are arranged in a 2x 95 mm (at the edges), 1x 84 mm (middle) pattern, with some added lighting effects (unclear if RGB) added on the shroud surrounding the edge fans (there's also some lighting on the Nitro symbol in the cards' backplate as well). Vega isn't a tame monster to feed, though, as we've seen in our own reviews of the card: this particular rendition of AMD's Vega 64 requires the usage of 3x 8-pin power connectors, and the cooling solution has been beefed-up as a result, occupying three whole slots inside your system. The I/O slot only occupies two slots, though, with the topmost one featuring an even split on 2x DisplayPort and 2x HDMI outputs, while the remainder slot is used to channel some of the produced heat to the exterior of your case.
Clockspeeds for the sample were reference AMD, but this isn't a final product. This means it's still up for changes in the cooling and power delivery designs, and clockspeeds are nowhere near finalized. It may take a little while longer still until we see these custom solutions from AMD's AIB partners, but we've waited this long, haven't we? In the meantime, you can put some extra minutes watching this YouTube video posted by HWBattle that shows this graphics card in operation:
Source:
HWBattle
41 Comments on Sapphire Radeon RX Vega 64 Nitro Custom Model Pictured, Tested
So, this might be more like 2005, but the principle is the same still. Would go fantastically with this GPU. (Yep, I had a predecessor to this case way back when, believe that was the Xaser III.)
The reference V64 currently in my office rig is faster in the stuff I play than the GTX1080 in my second rig and uses the same power as the aftermarket 980ti in my main rig. It's hardly the destroyer of worlds some people make out and it's definitely a marked improvement on the supernova that was the Fury X.
Yeah some of the AIB V64 cards will probably use more power than reference putting their energy consumption on par or ahead of the AIB GTX1080ti's, but it's hardly the end of the world. Some people make it sound like its going to quadruple their electric bill or burn their house down when in reality the added power draw and heat aren't really noticeable over any other high end card of the past few years.
Vega is actually just like the radeon 290/290x, but at least those were sold at a decent price, and had far less issues overall so people looked over their downsides more easily.
If Vega would have launched one year earlier, with a decent msrp, I bet that it would have been just fine.
Unless they are in some way feeding the core with two and the HBM with the third? Looking forward you you posting a video determining where the traces go etc. ;)
You can get 1700+ clock speed but only stable with water cooling.
I'd steer clear of Vega air, unless you just want to run stock clocks with Freesync monitor. Even then there'll be a lot of heat going into your case.
The reference pcb is one of the best ever made and there's not much that can be improved on.
I have a Vega 56 with EK full cover block running the 64 bios overclocked. I like it and get GTX 1080+ performance.
Thx for the tag