Sapphire Radeon NITRO+ RX 9070 Series Promo Images Leaked Online

[T0@st]

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.



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[remekra]

If only there would be 9080XT or 9090XT I would definitely go for Nitro+. Loved the look of 7900XTX and love the look of that one.

 

[Erazor6000]

It looks beefy! The TDP won't be below 350W for sure.

 

[usiname]

It looks like brick, literally

 

[Beermotor]

It looks beefy! The TDP won't be below 350W for sure.

Possibly. Sapphire cranked up the power on the 7900XTX Nitro+ to something absurd and it regularly hits well over 400 watts.
If they release an OC 9070XT with over-the-top cooling it might be interesting.

 

[3valatzy]

The exhaust openings are too far away from the chip.
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.

 

[LabRat 891]

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.

TBQH, the controversy with the 5090 and 4090 has me thinking the +12VHPWR/2x6 isn't *as* bad as it seemed.
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)

 

[Cheeseball]

Card looks good, but still overengineered and oversized. If its not 2.5 slot and below for something that doesn't beat the 7900XT/7900XTX, then its taking up too much space.

 

[kapone32]

I struggle with why this card is so large. 3full slots and those look like 100mm fans too. These are too big for the Specs we have.

 

[Hecate91]

The detachable backplate is neat, but I wouldn't want one if it has the 16 pin connector.

 

[kapone32]

The detachable backplate is neat, but I wouldn't want one if it has the 16 pin connector.

The funny thing is all new PSUs come with that. I thought only As Rock were going with this?

 

[TheDeeGee]

Oh right, the good old sacrifice heatsink surface area to hide a cable, lol

 

[Chrispy_]

Potato quality is too potato, but I doubt it's 16-pin as in 12VHPWR or 12V-6X2 simply because there seem to be two of them. I doubt this GPU needs 1200W:

 

[remekra]

Potato quality is too potato, but I doubt it's 16-pin as in 12VHPWR or 12V-6X2 simply because there seem to be two of them. I doubt this GPU needs 1200W:

View attachment 384761

Second one is ARGB connector I would bet. They had the same on 7900XTX, even in the same place.

 

[Hecate91]

The funny thing is all new PSUs come with that. I thought only As Rock were going with this?

I think the 16 pin connector would be fine with current sensors and pin load balancing on the GPU side, power consumption limited to 400W or less.
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.

 

[Chrispy_]

Second one is ARGB connector I would bet. They had the same on 7900XTX, even in the same place.

Ah yes, you're probably right. I had a 7800XT Nitro with ARGB and case fan headers. It's entirely possible that neither of these are power connectors, It's possibly two of the following:

• BIOS selector switch
• ARGB connector
• Case fan 4-pin PWM header

I think the 16 pin connector would be fine with current sensors and pin load balancing on the GPU side, power consumption limited to 400W or less.

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.