Thursday, February 13th 2025
Sapphire Radeon NITRO+ RX 9070 Series Promo Images Leaked Online
Sapphire is readying multiple Radeon RX 9070 custom designs for next month's launch; official announcements and leaks have revealed upcoming PURE, PULSE and NITRO+ cards. The latter was identified in AMD's CES 2025 press material, but no demonstration sample turned up at last month's Las Vegas AIB roundup. A lone fuzzy low-resolution screengrab showcased the premium Radeon RX 9070 series card's hefty and blocky triple-slot profile. An hour or two ago, Everest (aka Olrak29) uploaded two alleged promotional images to social media. Thankfully, the leaked shots have arrived with decent pixel definition. Sapphire has initiated staggered marketing campaigns for its lower-end and mid-range RDNA 4 cards, so the latest leak has most likely preempted an upcoming official reveal of (possible) NITRO+ Radeon RX 9070 XT and RX 9070 cards.
Sapphire reserves the crème de la crème of feature sets for its premium-tier NITRO+ designs. Previous-gen examples were substantial prospects, and the incoming design is touted to continue that dimensional legacy. Well-heeled Team Red enthusiasts will welcome an updated triple-fan configuration and somewhat subtle internal ARGB lighting zones. The leaked card sports a luxurious "champagne gold" tinted shroud and backplate, with an optional detachable panel. The vented side plates sport a lighter-hue, but the elaborate triangular cut-out aesthetic could be off-putting to certain connoisseurs. Press outlets have honed in on the new NITRO+ model's hidden power connector design, potentially leading to a single input—utilizing a 12 or 16-pin interface.
Sources:
Olrak29 Tweet, VideoCardz, Wccftech
Sapphire reserves the crème de la crème of feature sets for its premium-tier NITRO+ designs. Previous-gen examples were substantial prospects, and the incoming design is touted to continue that dimensional legacy. Well-heeled Team Red enthusiasts will welcome an updated triple-fan configuration and somewhat subtle internal ARGB lighting zones. The leaked card sports a luxurious "champagne gold" tinted shroud and backplate, with an optional detachable panel. The vented side plates sport a lighter-hue, but the elaborate triangular cut-out aesthetic could be off-putting to certain connoisseurs. Press outlets have honed in on the new NITRO+ model's hidden power connector design, potentially leading to a single input—utilizing a 12 or 16-pin interface.
24 Comments on Sapphire Radeon NITRO+ RX 9070 Series Promo Images Leaked Online
If they release an OC 9070XT with over-the-top cooling it might be interesting.
The openings should be cut in the PCB right next to the GPU but on the left side, so the direct aiflow will hit the GPU and cool accordingly.
Of course, with such a design, the PCB must be longer and the components (power delivery circuitry, VRAM pool, traces, etc.) moved to the GPU's right side.
From Buildzoid (and others') work, we now know the issue has to do with phase/conductor balancing (at high loads, near or above the 600W spec).
So, if:
A. The card can never draw *anywhere* near 600W
and/or
B. The card has proper phase balancing
I might not actively avoid it (just because of the Burny 3.0 power connector)
The AsRock Taichi has a 16 pin connector, but it makes even less sense here, Sapphire seems to be using it for the sake of hiding the power connector. I'd personally rather have function over form with 3x 8 pin connectors.
- BIOS selector switch
- ARGB connector
- Case fan 4-pin PWM header
IMO 12VHPWR/12V-6X2 connector is good for 250-300W. It's six 12V pairs and we've been calling a MiniFit Jr 12V wire pair good for 50W for the last 15 years, so the smaller 12V-6X2 connector gets a pass for no more than 50W per wire, and that's being generous.People (me included) are quick to blame the 16-pin HPWR/6X2 connector but it's actually an improvement on PCIe, since it's about the size of an 6+2 or 8-pin PCIe connector but those are only rated to 150W and I'd be perfectly comfortably using the new, smaller connector for up to 250W.
It's probably going to be the same here, reference will be 300-350W while board partners will be free to do what they like. Considering I was reaching 2800-2900MHz with XTX, those 9070XTs should be able to do 3100-3300.
5080 which is on 4N, I have one and its easily running all day with 3100-3200MHz so yeah we have reached 3GHz.
They should release later 9070XT 3GHz Edition :D