Nangang, Taiwan – May 19, 2025 – In a glittering ceremony held at the Marriott in Nangang, the 11th Annual European Hardware Awards (EHA) celebrated innovation and excellence across the technology landscape. Among the record-breaking 61 awards presented, SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT took home the coveted title of Best AMD-Based Graphics Card, solidifying its position as a leading performer in the high-end graphics market. The event, attended by over 200 senior industry figures, underscored Europe’s continued strength and unity within the rapidly evolving tech sector.
The EHA Awards are widely recognized as the benchmark for hardware quality and innovation in Europe. This year’s awards were particularly notable for their inclusion of dedicated AI categories, reflecting the growing importance of artificial intelligence across all facets of technology. The ceremony kicked off with a fascinating presentation of findings from the EHA Hardware Purchase Intentions Survey 2025/26 – one of the largest independent studies in Europe – delivered by “Allina,” an innovative AI character developed specifically for the event, adding a unique and engaging dimension to the data insights.
The SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT stood out from a competitive field thanks to its exceptional performance, cutting-edge features, and commitment to delivering a premium gaming experience. The award recognizes not only raw power but also the value proposition offered by this high-end card, aligning with the EHA’s new ‘Best Value’ series introduced in 2024.
A Deep Dive into the Winning Card: SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT
The SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT isn’t just about brute force; it’s a meticulously engineered piece of hardware designed to push the boundaries of visual fidelity and performance. Built on the foundation of AMD RDNA™ 4 Architecture, this graphics card boasts an impressive array of specifications that cater to demanding gamers, content creators, and anyone seeking a truly immersive computing experience.
Key Specifications at a Glance:
- GPU: AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT
- Stream Processors: 4096 – delivering massive parallel processing power for complex tasks.
- Compute Units: 64 CUs (3rd Gen RT + 2nd Gen AI Accelerators) – The inclusion of next-generation Ray Tracing and AI accelerators signifies a commitment to future-proofing the card, enabling stunning visuals and intelligent performance enhancements.
- Infinity Cache: 64MB – This large cache significantly reduces memory latency, boosting overall performance, especially in demanding games and applications.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 with a 256-bit bus – Providing ample bandwidth for high-resolution textures and complex scenes. The 20 Gbps effective memory clock ensures data flows smoothly and efficiently.
- Clock Speeds: Up to 3060 MHz Boost Clock and up to 2520MHz Game Clock – These speeds, while subject to thermal conditions and workload variations, demonstrate the card’s potential for high-frequency operation.
- Display Outputs: Dual HDMI® and dual DisplayPort™ 2.1a – Supporting resolutions up to 7680×4320 (8K) for breathtaking visuals on compatible displays.
- Interface: PCI-Express 5.0 x16 – Ensuring maximum bandwidth utilization with the latest generation of motherboards.
Beyond the Numbers: SAPPHIRE’s Engineering Excellence
While the core specifications are impressive, it’s SAPPHIRE’s dedication to engineering and cooling that truly sets this card apart. The NITRO+ RX 9070 XT incorporates a suite of innovative features designed to maximize performance and longevity:
- Tri-X Cooling Technology: A robust cooling solution featuring an optimized composite heatpipe design, high TG Copper PCB, and two-ball bearing fans for efficient heat dissipation.
- AeroCurve Fan Blade: Designed to deliver maximum airflow with minimal noise.
- Honeywell PTM7950 Thermal Interface Material (TIM): Ensuring optimal thermal transfer between the GPU die and the heatsink.
- Quick Connect MagniPlate & Stealth Hidden Power Cable: Enhancing aesthetics and simplifying cable management for a cleaner build.
- ARGB Light Bar: Customizable RGB lighting adds a touch of personalization to your gaming rig.
- Fuse Protection: Safeguards components from potential power surges, enhancing reliability.
These features combine to create a graphics card that not only delivers exceptional performance but also maintains stable temperatures and operates quietly even under heavy load.
The Rise of AI & AMD’s HYPR-RX Technology
The inclusion of 2nd Generation AI Accelerators within the RX 9070 XT’s architecture is a key differentiator, highlighting AMD’s commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its graphics solutions. This allows for features like AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 with AI Upscaling, which leverages machine learning to enhance image quality and boost frame rates without sacrificing visual fidelity.
Furthermore, the card supports AMD HYPR-RX technology, encompassing a suite of features designed to optimize gaming performance:
- AFMF 2 (Anti-Lag 2): Reduces input lag for a more responsive gaming experience.
- AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2: Generates additional frames to smooth out gameplay and increase perceived frame rates.
- AMD Radiance Display Engine: Enhances visual clarity and color accuracy.
These technologies, combined with support for AV1 Encode/Decode and Microsoft® DirectX® 12 Ultimate, ensure the SAPPHIRE NITRO+ RX 9070 XT is well-equipped to handle the demands of modern gaming and content creation.
Powering the Future of Gaming & Beyond
The SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT isn’t just a graphics card for today; it’s an investment in the future of gaming and visual computing. Its powerful hardware, innovative features, and support for emerging technologies like AI make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
System Requirements & Availability:
To fully utilize the potential of this high-end graphics card, a robust system is recommended:
- Minimum Power Supply: 750W (with a 12V-2×6(H++) power connector or included adapter for older PSUs)
- System Memory: Minimum 8GB, Recommended 16GB
- PCI Express Slot: One X16 lane available on the motherboard.
The SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT is currently available through leading retailers and online stores.
EHA Awards: A Testament to European Innovation
The European Hardware Association’s commitment to recognizing excellence in hardware design and performance continues to drive innovation within the industry. By celebrating products like the SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT, the EHA Awards inspire manufacturers to push boundaries and deliver cutting-edge technology to consumers across Europe and beyond.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award,” said a spokesperson for SAPPHIRE Technology. “The NITRO+ RX 9070 XT represents our dedication to delivering exceptional performance, innovative features, and a premium gaming experience. This recognition from the EHA is a testament to the hard work and passion of our engineering team.”
As the technology landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, awards like the European Hardware Awards play a vital role in highlighting the products that are shaping the future of computing. The SAPPHIRE NITRO+ AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT’s victory is not just a win for SAPPHIRE and AMD; it’s a win for gamers and enthusiasts who demand the very best in graphics performance.
