SAPPHIRE PULSE RX 5700XT – Navi Heartbeat Elevated

Conclusion

Wait for the aftermarket cards.  That's what I've seen plastered in comment sections everywhere.  While the SAPPHIRE PULSE RX 5700XT may not have had the results I expected once overclocked and the performance at stock been only marginally better than the reference model I can't deny the fact that this was a much better overall experience than the reference model.  SAPPHIRE designed a card that took the Navi core and wrapped it in its design that not only performs as expected but does so at a whisper, unlike the reference model.  Coming in at only a $10 premium over there reference edition it may not be made of solid aluminum nor had a dent in it, but at this point, I can't imagine any reason, outside of the absolute need for a blower or plans to watercool, why anyone would even consider the reference model.

At $409 for the SAPPHIRE PULSE RX 5700XT and $359 for the 5700 non-XT variants, SAPPHIRE has completely shifted the focus off the reference models in the best way possible.  They have crafted a card that performs admirably at 1440p, but Ultrawide 1440p would demand a bit more if that is your cup of tea.

I'll be visiting SAPPHIRE's updated TriXX software including their new TriXX Boost that combines resolution manipulation with Radeon Image Sharpening to tune up performance with a minimal impact on visuals, should be interesting.

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9

WCCFTECH RATING

The SAPPHIRE PULSE RX 5700XT improves in every way over the reference design in thermal and acoustic performance to the point it renders the reference design as an afterthought.

Pros

• Much cooler than the reference model
• Much quieter than the reference model
• Dual bios
• Quick Connect fans
• PCI-e Gen 4.0
• Subtle RGB
• Priced well

Cons

• Low overclocking returns
• No dedicated hardware for Ray Tracing
• Performs inline with reference model frame rates

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