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Sapphire AMD RX 480 Nitro on show

by Tarinder Sandhu on 13 June 2016, 11:01

Tags: Sapphire, AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qac3o3

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AMD's next-gen graphics architecture, codenamed Polaris, will make its retail bow at mainstream prices. We know this because the range-topping RX 480 is set to debut from $199 for cards equipped with 4GB of memory and possibly $229 upwards for 8GB models. Other, cheaper cards will follow in due course.

Given the low-ish TDP on the RX 480 - 150W max, according to AMD - you might be thinking how the company's add-in card (AIC) partners will construct their RX 480 offerings ahead of the launch on June 29. We now have some insight through some pictures of the purported Sapphire RX 480 Nitro. Feast your peepers on these.

If true, the heastink design is a strong departure from what we have seen before from AMD's biggest graphics partner. The wraparound, perforated heatsink and thick-blade, 100mm fans look completely different to the current styling.

And this is what we mean by wraparound. Note the usual lack of CrossFire connectors - RX 480 must continue the tradition of doing it internally - and second BIOS switch we often see.

A side-on shot gives more away. It appears as if Sapphire uses the same small reference PCB that ends about three-quarters of the way along the card. The same six-pin connector is in evidence, too, though the Nitro uses what looks like a proper backplate for better heat dispersal.

We're quite taken with the new design. Would you be willing to part with Ā£200 of your hard-earned for the RX 480 Nitro at this stage?



HEXUS Forums :: 22 Comments

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Wow, that's one cheap looking cooler!!
If leaked benchmarks are to be believed the 4GB version is close (slightly faster) than a GTX 980 in 3DMark Fire Strike.
Wonder how many people will buy one. My GF's PC is running on an old 7970 so could do with an upgrade but at this stage it makes more sense to upgrade my pc to a 1070 and hand down the 970 to her.
Hmm - Tempting. I think I'll likely go with a 8gb model and I want to get 480 fairly quickly. Does anyone know who is traditionally best at AMD custom coolers?

edit: Or more importantly who should I avoid… I haven't bought a new card since my long since retired 4850! Been using hand me downs.
cheesemp
Hmm - Tempting. I think I'll likely go with a 8gb model and I want to get 480 fairly quickly. Does anyone know who is traditionally best at AMD custom coolers?

edit: Or more importantly who should I avoid… I haven't bought a new card since my 4850!

My last 4 have been ASUS, MSI, Zotac and EVGA and they've all worked out good. I haven't heard anything about one particular company producing duds frequently, so I suggest choosing the one with the highest standard stock (reg or OC) speeds at the best price.