Sapphire’s Unusual Radeon RX 7900 XT with Turbo: The Forgotten Gem?

Despite the long-standing presence of Radeon RX 9000 graphics cards in the market, new models from the previous generation sometimes still emerge. Sapphire has now released an atypical Radeon RX 7900 XT featuring a “turbine” cooler. Such cooling systems are usually found in cards aimed at workstations. As a reminder, the RX 7900 XT boasts 20 GB of memory, setting it apart from almost all other cards.

Furthermore, the card is priced at $700, which seems hefty for a RX 7900 XT considering the existence of RX 9070/9070 XT models, though the latter do not offer 20 GB of memory. The two-slot design and length of 266 mm are somewhat modest by modern standards. The card is powered by two eight-pin connectors.

Performance and Market Context

This new release features improvements over its predecessors, including advanced cooling allowing for more efficient performance and reduced noise levels. Its impressive 20 GB VRAM makes it suitable for heavy-duty tasks, particularly in rendering and gaming scenarios where high memory throughput is beneficial.

Comparison to the Latest RX 9000 Series

The newly released models within the RX 9000 series, such as the RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, differ substantially, focusing more on raw speed and processing power, yet they lack the expansive 20 GB memory featured in this 7900 XT version. Gamers and professionals seeking extensive memory capacity may still find the RX 7900 XT appealing, especially in data-intensive applications.

Future Developments

The graphics card market remains highly competitive, with innovations continuously shaping the landscape. As manufacturers like Sapphire release more specialized models, consumers can anticipate even greater performance enhancements and novel cooling technologies in future product generations.