Zephyr Showcases GeForce RTX 4070 "Sakura Snow X" Model, Sports a Compact CNC-produced Aluminium Enclosure

[T0@st]

Zephyr has presented a new Small Form Factor (SFF) graphics card design that houses previous-gen NVIDIA GPU hardware. The Chinese board partner showcased its GeForce RTX 4070-based "Sakura Snow X" via a 1-minute 42-second long teaser video; according to their bilibili channel this compact wonder is: "the world's first mass-produced CNC single-fan graphics card. A small space aesthetic benchmark—a balance of high performance and exquisite size." Zephyr's latest Mini-ITX offering seems to be a more premium—in terms of enclosure materials—alternative to last year's GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB "Sakura Blizzard" model—examples were placed next to each other in the AIB's demonstration video (aluminium versus plastic). This brand-new dual-slot entrant has arrived with a slightly larger cooling solution (see relevant screenshot below), and a fancier 105 mm airflow fan design—outfitted with more blades (11 vs. 9). VideoCardz has observed "Sakura Snow X" first batch listings on an undisclosed Chinese e-tail platform; launch pricing seems to be 4399 RMB (~$602 USD).

Unlike its pink-hued sibling, Zephyr's sober metal design integrates an I/O plate—giving off the impression of a unibody-esque setup. SFF enthusiasts will welcome this truly compact design, albeit with the disadvantage of playing host to old hat "Ada Lovelace" silicon. Throughout early 2025, Team Green and certain manufacturing partners have hyped up various "SFF-Ready" new-gen solutions. Last week, ZOTAC updated its "Blackwell" gaming portfolio with a dual-slot GeForce RTX 5070 Ti SOLID SFF card. This slimmed down triple-fan option is still a lengthy prospect (304.4 mm); thus quickly dismissed as unworthy of its moniker by compact graphics solution connoisseurs. Similarly, GIGABYTE sells 304 mm-long "SFF" variants—launched months ago in WINDFORCE and EAGLE guises.



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[RejZoR]

I'm getting strong Radeon R9 Fury Nano vibes.

 

[Cheeseball]

Ohhhhh aside from still having RTX 4070 in their stock, the other reason why they're using RTX 4070 specifically is because it was the last GPU that NVIDIA allowed AIBs to use the 8-pin power connector.

Which is good for sub 10L (probably sub 8L perhaps?) ITX/SFF builds.

 

[Macro Device]

Which is good for sub 10L (probably sub 8L perhaps?) ITX/SFF builds.

And for whatever larger build which doesn't require a GPU faster than that. It's also neat for testing stuff, you don't need to worry about sagging, bending and whatnot, you just plug and play. Eh, I wish this was the norm and not these overbuilt chonkers size of a soccer field.
Don't get me wrong, we need these king size GPUs because at least some people are way too allergic to sound effects but... Smaller is more convenient and also cheaper both in production and in logistics.

 

[rattlehead99]

So if they can cool a 220W GPU with an active die size of around 240mm^2 with this cooler, please put it on the rx 9070 Non-XT which is 220W and around 320mm^2 active die. This is what cards should be like.

 

[PLAfiller]

That looks like a great edition. I mean 4070 truly shrunk to a manageable size for MATX cases.

 

[Assimilator]

So if they can cool a 220W GPU with an active die size of around 240mm^2 with this cooler, please put it on the rx 9070 Non-XT which is 220W and around 320mm^2 active die. This is what cards should be like.

No this is not, because at any sort of load that single fan is going to ramp up so high that your ears will bleed. Also say goodbye to idle fan stop.

 

[Vayra86]

Holy shit I need this.

A compact x70. 12GB. 8 pin... Why is this a gen late?

That looks like a great edition. I mean 4070 truly shrunk to a manageable size for MATX cases.

I have a 7900XT Asrock PG (3 slot) which is manageable for a Lian Li A3.
Just don't buy a shit case and you can fit full size np, which is arguably always the better choice. Compact is there for where you really can't go any other way, right? Otherwise why sacrifice on noise, performance etc. Personally I'd value this product much higher as an ITX-oriented solution. Truly small. matx is really just half a tower, not very portable.

 

[PLAfiller]

Just don't buy a shit case.....

Well, I got something on the way , hopefully I will post on Friday on the purchase thread. The cheaper Lian Li A3 and no I can't fit full size up. If my PSU is longer than 140mm I have 220mm for the GPU, if not, then 330mm. I get it Lian Li has 415mm of space, but that case depending on whether you want the glass or mesh side panel and the wood front panel doesn't exactly cost super cheap. I mean I ain't spending €100-120 on a case. I am not there yet. And for that kind of money I'd prefer the Fractal Design 7 Mini over the Lian Li A3 any day of the week.

The state of Matx cases ain't pretty at the moment IMO. The second you want USB-C gen 1 or 2 to be available you need scrap anything below €60-70. Zalman P30 / P30 Air is may be the first option to have it and has some modern look/features. Deepcool are still not adding this to their lower-tier cases as well as Aerocool.

 

[Vayra86]

Well, I got something on the way , hopefully I will post on Friday on the purchase thread. The cheaper Lian Li A3 and no I can't fit full size up. If my PSU is longer than 140mm I have 220mm for the GPU, if not, then 330mm. I get it Lian Li has 415mm of space, but that case depending on whether you want the glass or mesh side panel and the wood front panel doesn't exactly cost super cheap. I mean I ain't spending €100-120 on a case. I am not there yet. And for that kind of money I'd prefer the Fractal Design 7 Mini over the Lian Li A3 any day of the week.

The A3 is € 69,90 over here today as it was since forever... Not 100-120.
The fractal design 7 mini starts at €92,- And I can guarantee it will be a hot box - both the Define C and Define R4 I have are not cool cases, and you can't really cool >250W of GPU well in them.

Sure you can go all posh materials on the A3 but why?

Stick a mesh sheet under the mesh enclosure and you have a high airflow, dust free, full size component capable machine, built like an effin tank.
Now you got me all curious what you've got instead

 

[rattlehead99]

No this is not, because at any sort of load that single fan is going to ramp up so high that your ears will bleed. Also say goodbye to idle fan stop.

You don't have to sell it to me any further, I'm already sold.