Unleash Ultimate Gaming Power with Sapphire RX 5700 XT Nitro+ Card

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Sapphire Nitro+: Overview and Build Quality
3. Specifications of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
4. Design and Features of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
5. Cooling System of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
6. Performance and Benchmarks of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
7. Temperature and Power Consumption of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
8. Overclocking the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
9. Comparison with Other Navi Cards
10. Pricing and Value of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card
11. Conclusion

Introduction

The custom Navi cards have been creating quite a buzz in the market. We have already seen the Sapphire Pulse and MSI Evoke OC cards, and now it's time to take a closer look at Sapphire's higher-end offering - the Nitro+ card. With higher clocks, higher power, and a bigger cooler compared to the Pulse card, the Nitro+ is expected to deliver impressive performance. In this article, we will delve into the features, design, performance, and overall value of the Sapphire Nitro+ card, to help you decide if it's worth the investment.

Sapphire Nitro+: Overview and Build Quality

The Sapphire Nitro+ is a beast of a graphics card, with a weight of around 1.1 kilograms. The build quality is top-notch, featuring a solid and weighty design. The card comes with a sleek, slide aluminum backplate and a tone-neutral aesthetic, giving it a bold and premium look. Sapphire has also added addressable RGB lighting for the logo, backplate edge, and back of the backplate, making it visually appealing. The Nitro+ card measures over 300 millimeters in length, 135 millimeters in Height, and takes up three slots on your motherboard.

Specifications of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

In terms of clock speeds, the Sapphire Nitro+ card stands out as the fastest among the custom Navi cards we have seen so far. It features a voltage frequency curve that is clearly shifted compared to the reference and even the Pulse card. Although the reported clocks are similar to the Power Color Red Devil card, the Nitro+ aims to target a higher level of performance. The card also comes with a 6+8 Pin power configuration, providing it with a power advantage of 375 watts. Additionally, Sapphire has deviated from the reference design by using two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs, making it convenient for users who want to connect a VR headset and an HDMI display simultaneously.

Design and Features of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

The Sapphire Nitro+ card comes with a tri-fan design, featuring two 95mm fans on the outside and a smaller 87mm fan in the middle. The fans are strategically positioned to reduce turbulence and provide efficient airflow. One notable feature of the Nitro+ card is the quick disconnect system, which allows easy removal and replacement of the fans. Sapphire also offers an optional RGB fan upgrade kit, allowing users to add more RGB lighting to their setup. The card incorporates a zero RPM fan mode, where the fans turn off completely below 60 degrees Celsius. Overall, the design and features of the Nitro+ card add to its appeal and functionality.

Cooling System of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

The cooling system of the Sapphire Nitro+ card is one of its major strengths. It utilizes a large copper contact plate and five heat pipes connected to two different fin stacks. The heat pipes are nickel plated for better heat dispersion. Sapphire has also included a separate cooler for the memory modules, which is one of the largest memory coolers seen on a graphics card. This design ensures optimal cooling for the GPU, VRMs, and memory, resulting in lower temperatures even under heavy load. The effectiveness of Sapphire's cooling solution is further highlighted by the quieter operation of the fans and lower vrm and memory temperatures.

Performance and Benchmarks of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

When it comes to performance, the Sapphire Nitro+ card delivers impressive results. It maintains a higher average clock speed compared to the reference design, resulting in faster and smoother gameplay. In benchmark tests, the Nitro+ card outperforms the overclocked RTX 2060 Super and offers a 5% improvement over the reference 5700 XT. It consistently maintains 60fps in demanding games like Metro and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, showcasing its capabilities as a high-performance graphics card. However, it's important to note that Nvidia hardware performs better in some titles, with the RTX 2070 Super having a slight lead over the Nitro+ card. Overall, the Sapphire Nitro+ impresses with its gaming performance and is a solid choice for gamers looking for smooth gameplay at high resolutions.

Temperature and Power Consumption of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

Despite its powerful performance, the Sapphire Nitro+ card manages to maintain reasonable temperatures. The card targets around 70 degrees Celsius, with a temperature difference of 48 degrees over ambient. This indicates efficient cooling and a significant improvement over the reference design. The inclusion of the silent bios further reduces temperatures, making for a quieter and cooler gaming experience. In terms of power consumption, the Nitro+ card does Consume more power compared to the reference card, primarily due to the higher clocks. However, the difference in power consumption is manageable, thanks to the robust cooling system.

Overclocking the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

Overclocking the Sapphire Nitro+ card allows users to further enhance its performance. Although we were not able to push the clock curve, increasing the power limit to the maximum value resulted in decent clock improvements. Additionally, memory overclocking provided a 4 to 5% performance boost. It's important to consider that Navi cards are power-limited when it comes to overclocking. More power leads to more heat, so users interested in overclocking should focus on cards with effective cooling designs rather than expecting extraordinary results from individual samples.

Comparison with Other Navi Cards

Comparing the Sapphire Nitro+ card with other Navi cards, it clearly stands out as one of the best options in terms of performance, cooling, and build quality. Its higher clocks and improved cooling system make it faster and quieter than the Sapphire Pulse and MSI Evoke OC cards. In terms of price and value, the Nitro+ card is priced competitively at around 450 pounds, making it a worthy investment for gamers who want top-notch performance and aesthetics. It directly competes with the Power Color Red Devil card, which we will be reviewing soon.

Pricing and Value of the Sapphire Nitro+ Card

With a price tag of 450 pounds, the Sapphire Nitro+ card offers excellent value for its features and performance. It's only slightly more expensive than the Sapphire Pulse card but offers faster speeds, better cooling, and additional RGB lighting options. The Nitro+ card also competes well against Nvidia hardware, providing superior performance at a similar price point. The value proposition becomes even stronger when considering the robust build quality and the inclusion of features like the silent bios and zero RPM fan mode. Overall, the Sapphire Nitro+ card proves to be a fantastic offering in the 450-pound price range.

Conclusion

The Sapphire Nitro+ card is a powerhouse graphics card that delivers exceptional performance, superior cooling, and impressive build quality. Its higher clock speeds and efficient cooling system make it faster and quieter compared to reference and other Navi cards. The inclusion of addressable RGB lighting, a multi-BIOS solution, and a zero RPM fan mode add to its appeal. Priced competitively, the Nitro+ card offers great value for gamers looking for top-tier performance and aesthetics. With its solid performance and feature-rich design, the Sapphire Nitro+ card stands as one of the best options in its price range.

FAQ

Q: Is the Sapphire Nitro+ card compatible with VR headsets? A: Yes, the Nitro+ card comes with two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs, allowing users to connect a VR headset and an HDMI display simultaneously.

Q: Can I upgrade the fans on the Sapphire Nitro+ card for more RGB lighting? A: Yes, Sapphire offers an optional RGB fan upgrade kit for the Nitro+ card, allowing users to add more RGB lighting to their setup.

Q: Does the Sapphire Nitro+ card support zero RPM fan mode? A: Yes, the Nitro+ card features zero RPM fan mode, where the fans turn off completely below 60 degrees Celsius, providing a quiet gaming experience.

Q: How does the Sapphire Nitro+ card compare to other Navi cards in terms of performance? A: The Nitro+ card is one of the fastest Navi cards available, offering superior performance compared to the reference design and other custom Navi cards.

Q: Is the Sapphire Nitro+ card worth the investment? A: Yes, with its top-notch performance, efficient cooling, and attractive design, the Nitro+ card offers excellent value for gamers seeking high-end graphics performance.