Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT Review | 118 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£430
  • VRAM: 8 GB
  • Memory bus width: 256 bit
  • Thermal Design Power (TDP): 225 W

Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT review. Compare 118 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among graphics cards and if it is worth buying.

5.9

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the graphics card's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best graphics cards on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

5.5

Technical Score

10.0%

8.8

User score

Good
5.5

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

4.4

Performance

24.0%

5.0

Memory

12.0%

7.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

7.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.7

Design

4.0%

8.5

Connectivity & Media

Good
8.8

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.4

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(330)
amazon
4.0
(42)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(326)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Excellent
  • 4.2
    Gaming

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    8.8

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 5.1
    Video editing

    Score components:

    35.0%

    7.0

    AV1 encode

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    2.3

    Floating-point performance

    15.0%

    8.8

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.7
    1080p

    Score components:

    55.0%

    2.3

    Floating-point performance

    25.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    10.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    10.0%

    8.8

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.6
    1440p

    Score components:

    50.0%

    2.3

    Floating-point performance

    30.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    15.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    8.8

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

  • 3.9
    4K

    Score components:

    40.0%

    2.3

    Floating-point performance

    35.0%

    2.8

    VRAM

    20.0%

    ?

    Ray tracing cores / units

    5.0%

    8.8

    PCI Express (PCIe) version

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is a high-performance graphics card built on AMD's 7nm RDNA architecture, featuring 2,560 stream processors, 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit interface, and a factory-overclocked boost clock of up to 1,925 MHz. Key characteristics include the Dual-X cooling system with 95mm dual-ball bearing fans, a dual BIOS switch for performance or silent modes, and the TriXX Boost software for performance optimization. Its main pros are significantly improved thermal performance and lower noise levels compared to the AMD reference design, along with user-replaceable Quick Connect fans and a sturdy aluminum backplate. However, its notable cons include a higher power draw than the reference model, limited head room for manual overclocking, and a lack of dedicated hardware for real-time ray tracing.

Technical Specifications of Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the graphics card's technical performance, covering key areas such as gaming and rendering performance, ray tracing, memory configuration, power efficiency, cooling, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare graphics cards based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

44.0%

4.4

Performance

24.0%

5.0

Memory

12.0%

7.5

Power & Cooling

11.0%

7.2

Platform & Features

5.0%

7.7

Design

4.0%

8.5

Connectivity & Media

5.5
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a technical score of 5.55 points, which is lower than that of 70% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.

When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.

Score components:

70.0%

8.4

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.2
(330)
amazon
4.0
(42)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.3
(326)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

8.8
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a user score of 8.85 points, which is higher than that of 75.7% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 77.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the graphics card's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a graphics card that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.9

Overall score

40.0%

8.3

Price

6.6
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.6 points, which is lower than 57.2% of products in this category.
3DMark Time Spy benchmark score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Time Spy, a synthetic DirectX 12 test often used as a quick gaming-performance reference.
When it matters: When you need a fast rough performance sort before digging into game-specific reviews and frame-rate data.

Importance: LOW

9,611 points
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT scores 9611 points in 3DMark Time Spy, which is lower than 62.1% of graphics cards.
3DMark Port Royal score
What it is: Benchmark result from 3DMark Port Royal, a synthetic test focused on ray tracing performance.
When it matters: When ray tracing matters in the games you actually play and you want one quick way to separate stronger and weaker RT cards.

Importance: LOW

N/A
PassMark (G3D) result
What it is: Overall GPU performance score in PassMark G3D benchmark
When it matters: When you need one broad score to sort cards into rough performance tiers.

Importance: LOW

?
PassMark (DirectCompute) result
What it is: PassMark score for DirectCompute performance tests
When it matters: When compute workloads matter alongside gaming performance.

Importance: LOW

?
Floating-point performance
What it is: Theoretical floating-point compute performance of the GPU.
When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

Importance: LOW

9.856 TFLOPS
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT delivers 9.856 TFLOPS floating-point performance, which is lower than that of 77.9% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.1% of graphics cards.
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VRAM
What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

Importance: HIGH

8 GB
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has 8 GB of VRAM, which is less than 57.6% of graphics cards and equal to 25.1% of graphics cards.
Memory type
What it is: Type of graphics memory used (GDDR6, HBM2e, etc.)
When it matters: When memory technology is part of the buying decision because it affects bandwidth class, power use, and product positioning.

Importance: LOW

GDDR6
GDDR version
What it is: Generation of GDDR memory used by the graphics card.
When it matters: When you want to separate older memory generations from newer ones before comparing bandwidth, power behavior, and market tier.

Importance: LOW

GDDR6
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT uses GDDR6 memory, which is newer than on 16.6% of graphics cards and equal to 39.1% of graphics cards.
Memory bus width
What it is: Width of the memory interface bus in bits
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance at higher resolutions, heavier texture settings, or ray-traced workloads that stress memory traffic.

Importance: HIGH

256 bit
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT uses a 256 bit memory bus, which is wider than that of 49.5% of graphics cards and equal to that of 36.1% of graphics cards.
Maximum memory bandwidth
What it is: Maximum data transfer rate between GPU and its memory
When it matters: When 4K gaming, ray tracing, or creator work can choke a slower memory subsystem.

Importance: HIGH

448 GB/s
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT reaches 448 GB/s memory bandwidth, which is higher than that of 41% of graphics cards and equal to that of 11.1% of graphics cards.
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PCI Express (PCIe) version
What it is: Version of PCI Express interface supported
When it matters: When you are pairing the card with an older motherboard and want to avoid leaving bandwidth or future compatibility on the table.

Importance: LOW

4.0
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports PCIe 4.0, which is newer than on 22.5% of graphics cards and equal to 52% of graphics cards.
PCIe lanes
What it is: Number of PCI Express lanes used for communication
When it matters: When limited lane width could bottleneck the card in some systems.

Importance: LOW

x16
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT uses x16 PCIe lanes, which is more than 31.5% of graphics cards and equal to 68.6% of graphics cards.
DirectX version
What it is: Highest supported DirectX API version
When it matters: When you play newer Windows games that depend on the latest graphics features.

Importance: LOW

?
Vulkan version
What it is: Highest supported Vulkan API version
When it matters: When modern games, emulators, or creative apps lean on Vulkan support.

Importance: LOW

?
OpenGL version
What it is: Highest supported OpenGL API version
When it matters: When older games or pro apps still depend on OpenGL compatibility.

Importance: LOW

4.6
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports OpenGL 4.6, which is more advanced than on 4.8% of graphics cards and equal to 95.2% of graphics cards.
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Max displays supported
What it is: Total number of external displays supported simultaneously
When it matters: When you run a multi-monitor desk for sim racing, trading, or editing.

Importance: LOW

4
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports up to 4 displays, which is more than 7.8% of graphics cards and equal to 89.2% of graphics cards.
Max digital resolution
What it is: Maximum supported digital display resolution
When it matters: When you plan to drive 4K or 8K panels at their native resolution.

Importance: LOW

?
DisplayPort outputs
What it is: Number of DisplayPort video outputs
When it matters: When your setup needs several high-refresh monitors without adapters.

Importance: LOW

3
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT offers 3 DisplayPort outputs, which is more than 20.9% of graphics cards and equal to 77.3% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort version
What it is: Version of DisplayPort standard supported
When it matters: When your monitor setup depends on newer DisplayPort features for higher refresh rates, higher resolution, or better cable flexibility.

Importance: LOW

1.4
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports DisplayPort 1.4, which is older than on 77.3% of graphics cards and equal to 16.2% of graphics cards.
DisplayPort link rates
What it is: Supported data link rates for DisplayPort connections
When it matters: When you are pushing high resolution and refresh rate over DisplayPort.

Importance: LOW

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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
What it is: Typical power consumption under full load (TDP)
When it matters: When you need a realistic idea of power draw before choosing a PSU or case.

Importance: MEDIUM

225 W
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a TDP of 225 W, which is higher than that of 54.6% of graphics cards and equal to that of 1% of graphics cards.
Power consumption while under peak load
What it is: Peak power draw of the graphics card under maximum load.
When it matters: When transient-heavy gaming loads could stress your power supply.

Importance: LOW

250 W
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT draws 250 W under peak load, which is higher than 58.1% of graphics cards and equal to 5.3% of graphics cards.
Recommended PSU wattage
What it is: Recommended wattage of the system power supply
When it matters: When you are checking whether your current power supply is enough.

Importance: LOW

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Board power limit
What it is: Maximum configurable power limit for the GPU board
When it matters: When you care about how far the card can be pushed through tuning or factory power settings.

Importance: LOW

225 W
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a board power limit of 225 W, which is higher than that of 52.2% of graphics cards and equal to that of 0.4% of graphics cards.
PCIe power spec
What it is: PCIe power delivery specification followed
When it matters: When you are checking whether the slot and external cables match the card's intended power-delivery standard.

Importance: LOW

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Size
What it is: Physical size of the GPU card
When it matters: When you need the card to fit a compact case without blocking nearby hardware.

Importance: LOW

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Length
What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

Importance: LOW

254 mm
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is 254 mm long, which is shorter than 66.4% of graphics cards and equal in length to 0.3% of graphics cards.
Height
What it is: Physical height of the GPU card
When it matters: When side panels, brackets, or tight case layouts reduce vertical clearance.

Importance: LOW

135 mm
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is 135 mm tall, which is taller than 67.3% of graphics cards and equal in height to 1.5% of graphics cards.
Slot width
What it is: Number of PCIe slots occupied by the card
When it matters: When you need room for another PCIe card or better airflow under the GPU.

Importance: LOW

2.3 slot/s
Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT occupies 2.3 slot/s, which is wider than 52.2% of graphics cards and equal in width to 0.5% of graphics cards.
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the graphics card
When it matters: When sag, bracket support, or shipping stress matters in your build.

Importance: LOW

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Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT vs the average graphics card

  • Includes dual BIOS
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
    What it is: Includes dual BIOS for redundancy or overclocking profiles
    When it matters: When you want a safer recovery path after tweaking fan curves or overclock settings, or you need separate quiet and performance profiles.

    Importance: LOW

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 31.37 mm shorter card length
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is shorter than the average graphics card (254 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
    What it is: Physical length of the GPU card
    When it matters: When front radiators or drive cages leave only limited GPU clearance.

    Importance: LOW

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is shorter than the average graphics card (254 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.254 mm vs 285.37 mm
  • Better FP64 ratio
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
    What it is: Ratio of double-precision (FP64) to single-precision (FP32) performance
    When it matters: When you need to know whether FP64 is merely present or genuinely useful.

    Importance: LOW

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).1:16 vs 1:64
  • 10.6% higher user score
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.85 vs 8.000).
    What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you want to understand how a graphics card performs in real use and how reliable it is in terms of performance, temperatures, noise, stability, and long-term ownership.
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher user score than the average graphics card (8.85 vs 8.000).8.85 vs 8
  • 4.34x more popular
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).
    What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the graphics card.
    When it matters: When you prefer a graphics card that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is more popular than the average graphics card (10.00 vs 2.303).10 vs 2.3
  • Better FP64 ratio
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a better FP64 ratio than the average graphics card (1:16 vs 1:64).
  • Includes dual BIOS
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT includes dual BIOS, the average graphics card does not.
  • 31.37 mm shorter card length
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is shorter than the average graphics card (254 mm vs 285.37 mm). The average graphics card has a length of 285.37 mm.
  • 23% lower boost clock speed
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,925 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
  • 56.9% lower FP32 performance
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (9.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
  • 25.4% lower pixel rate
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower pixel rate than the average graphics card (123.2 GPixel/s vs 165.2 GPixel/s). The average graphics card has a pixel rate of 165.2 GPixel/s.
  • 13% lower base clock speed
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower base GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,670 MHz vs 1,920 MHz). The average graphics card has a base GPU clock of 1,920 MHz.
  • 24 fewer TMUs
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer TMUs than the average graphics card (160 vs 184). The average graphics card has 184 TMUs.
  • 15.2% lower gaming score
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower gaming score than the average graphics card (9,611 points vs 11,337 points). The average graphics card has a gaming score of 11,337 points.
  • 57.3% lower compute throughput
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower compute throughput than the average graphics card (9.9 TFLOPS vs 23.105 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has compute throughput of 23.105 TFLOPS.
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
  • 26.3% slower memory speed
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (14,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
  • 87.5% smaller L2 cache
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer L2 cache than the average graphics card (4 MB vs 32 MB). The average graphics card has 32 MB L2 cache.
  • 40% larger process node
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher process node than the average graphics card (7 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
  • 4 older
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT was released earlier than the average graphics card (2,019 vs 2,023).
  • No mesh shaders
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support mesh shaders, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 encoding
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
  • No AV1 decoding
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
  • Older DisplayPort version
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports an older DisplayPort version than the average graphics card (1.4 vs 1.4a).
  • Older HDMI version
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT supports an older HDMI version than the average graphics card (2.0b vs 2.1).
  • 1 fewer fans
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
  • 17 °C lower thermal ceiling
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower thermal ceiling than the average graphics card (110 °C vs 93 °C). The average graphics card has a thermal ceiling of 93 °C.
  • 4.7% higher TDP
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher TDP than the average graphics card (225 W vs 215 W). The average graphics card has a TDP of 215 W.
  • No RGB lighting
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not include RGB lighting, the average graphics card does.
  • 0.3 slot/s wider design
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT occupies more slots than the average graphics card (2.3 slot/s vs 2 slot/s). The average graphics card occupies 2 slot/s.
  • 8 mm higher card profile
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is taller than the average graphics card (135 mm vs 127 mm). The average graphics card has a height of 127 mm.
  • 23% lower boost clock speed
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,925 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.
    What it is: Maximum boost frequency the GPU can reach under load
    When it matters: When you want a rough idea of peak advertised frequency, while knowing real sustained clocks still depend on cooling and power limits.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower boost GPU clock than the average graphics card (1,925 MHz vs 2,500 MHz). The average graphics card has a boost GPU clock of 2,500 MHz.1925 MHz vs 2500 MHz
  • 1 fewer fans
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).
    What it is: Total number of cooling fans
    When it matters: When you compare cooler designs and want one more clue about thermal potential.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer fans than the average graphics card (2 vs 3).2 vs 3
  • 4 GB less VRAM
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.
    What it is: Total video memory available on the graphics card
    When it matters: When you play at high settings, use texture mods, or work with large creative projects.

    Importance: HIGH

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has fewer VRAM than the average graphics card (8 GB vs 12 GB). The average graphics card has 12 GB VRAM.8 GB vs 12 GB
  • 40% larger process node
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher process node than the average graphics card (7 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.
    What it is: Size of the manufacturing process in nanometers
    When it matters: When process node differences may affect power, heat, and overall efficiency.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a higher process node than the average graphics card (7 nm vs 5 nm). The average graphics card uses a process node of 5 nm.7 nm vs 5 nm
  • 26.3% slower memory speed
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (14,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.
    What it is: Effective memory data rate combining clock and bus width
    When it matters: When you compare how quickly each card can push data through its memory subsystem.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower effective memory speed than the average graphics card (14,000 MHz vs 19,000 MHz). The average graphics card reaches an effective memory speed of 19,000 MHz.14000 MHz vs 19000 MHz
  • 56.9% lower FP32 performance
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (9.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.
    What it is: Single-precision floating-point performance in TFLOPs
    When it matters: When rendering, AI, or heavy compute work needs strong single-precision throughput.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT has a lower FP32 performance than the average graphics card (9.9 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS). The average graphics card has FP32 performance of 22.86 TFLOPS.9.85 TFLOPS vs 22.86 TFLOPS
  • No AV1 encoding
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports hardware encoding of AV1 video codec
    When it matters: When you stream or export video and want efficient AV1 encoding on the GPU.

    Importance: LOW

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 encoding, the average graphics card does.No vs yes
  • No AV1 decoding
    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.
    What it is: Supports hardware decoding of AV1 video codec
    When it matters: When you watch modern AV1 video without leaning on the CPU.

    Importance: LOW

    Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT does not support AV1 decoding, the average graphics card does.No vs yes

Graphic comparison of Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT and

Attribute category
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Third-party reviews

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT?

  • Excellent value for money, often cited as one of the best AIB versions of the RX 5700 XT for the price.
  • Significantly cooler and quieter operation compared to the AMD reference blower design.
  • Dual-BIOS support allows users to switch between performance and silent modes.
  • Quick-connect fans make maintenance, cleaning, or replacement much easier.
  • Strong 1440p gaming performance, maintaining high frame rates in most titles.
  • Features 'TriXX Boost' which can improve performance through intelligent resolution downscaling.

What customers dislike about Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT?

  • Software drivers and overclocking stability have been noted as inconsistent or 'fraught with oddities' by some users.
  • Does not feature hardware-accelerated ray tracing, unlike its NVIDIA contemporaries.
  • The physical design is relatively plain compared to higher-end 'Nitro+' or enthusiast-tier models.
  • Fans can produce an audible whine or oscillation sound once speeds exceed 1600 RPM.
  • Consumes slightly more power than the reference model due to factory overclocking.

Expert reviews

T
tomshardware.com
21/11/2019

The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 5700 XT is a highly effective custom iteration of AMD's Navi 10 architecture, featuring 2,560 stream processors and 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. Sapphire resolves the severe thermal and noise issues plaguing AMD's blower-style reference design by utilizing a robust Dual-X cooling solution equipped with a thick aluminum heatsink, horizontal fins,...Read more

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igorslab.de
04/09/2019

The Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Pulse is a compact, mid-range graphics card that strikes a well-rounded compromise between size, weight, and operational performance. On the positive side, it features an unobtrusive design without over-the-top RGB lighting, a highly capable PCB component assembly, and reliable temperature control that keeps the unit within acceptable thermal ranges....Read more

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bit-tech.net
12/08/2019

The bit-tech.net review evaluates the Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Pulse, a custom-cooled version of AMD’s Navi graphics card priced at £424.99 / $409. The review highlights that Sapphire successfully solves the severe thermal and noise issues found in AMD's original reference model by utilizing a massive custom dual-fan cooler. This setup achieves operating temperatures 10°C cooler...Read more

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pcper.com
12/08/2019

The PC Perspective review evaluates the SAPPHIRE PULSE Radeon RX 5700 XT, a factory-overclocked graphics card featuring custom Dual-X cooling, a 12-layer PCB, and an aluminum backplate. A major pro of the card is its exceptional acoustic performance; it registers a load noise level of just 38.3 dBA, which is a massive 10.3 dBA reduction compared to the loud AMD reference blower...Read more

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gamersnexus.net
12/08/2019

The Sapphire RX 5700 XT Pulse significantly improves upon AMD’s reference design by rectifying its major thermal and acoustic flaws, making it a highly recommended alternative for just $10 over MSRP. In noise-normalized testing locked at 40dBA, the Pulse's custom dual-fan cooler achieves a GPU edge temperature of 67°C, which is a massive 27.1°C cooler than the reference card at the...Read more

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techpowerup.com
12/08/2019

The Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Pulse is a high-value custom 7nm RDNA card featuring a mild factory overclock to 1,925 MHz and an efficient Dual-X cooling system that offers significantly lower noise and temperatures than the reference model. Key pros include an idle-fan-stop feature, a dual-BIOS "Silent" mode, and a high cost-performance ratio that serves as a strong, competitively...Read more

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tektick.com
08/05/2020

The Sapphire RX 5700 XT Pulse is evaluated as a highly balanced, factory-overclocked mid-range graphics card that is ideal for 1440p gaming or high-refresh rate 1080p setups. Built on AMD's Navi architecture, the card features a rated out-of-the-box boost clock of 1925 MHz, though in practice it stabilizes closer to 1900 MHz. A core highlight of this model is its upgraded cooling...Read more

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chip.de
07/07/2019

The AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT delivers strong gaming performance at 1440p and Ultra-HD (UHD) resolutions, launching as a highly competitive and more affordable alternative to Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2070. Built on AMD's new RDNA architecture with a 7-nanometer process, the reference graphics card features 2,560 shaders, a 1,605 MHz base clock, and a boost clock up to 1,905 MHz, though its...Read more

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igorslab.de
04/09/2019

The Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Pulse provides a well-engineered balance of size, physical weight, and general processing performance for an entry-level graphics card. It features a clean, visually unobtrusive design that completely avoids unnecessary RGB elements, maintaining an appropriate build quality relative to its price bracket. Additionally, the card achieves perfectly...Read more

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tweakers.net
06/10/2019

Based on the comprehensive roundup of custom AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT graphics cards, the performance differences between the models in gaming benchmarks (like Far Cry 5 and Battlefield V) are relatively small, generally within a few frames per second, but they differ significantly in acoustics, temperature, power consumption, and price. The MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT Gaming X...Read more

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tweakers.net
07/07/2019

Based on the 2019 hardware review, the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and 5700XT, built on the 7nm Navi 10 GPU and the new RDNA architecture, provide excellent price-to-performance value for 1440p gaming at ultra settings. AMD successfully targeted Nvidia's RTX 2060 and 2070, offering cards that outperform their original rivals at a more competitive price point after a last-minute price...Read more

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hardware.info
12/08/2019

This custom graphics card review by Hardware Info evaluates the dual-BIOS features (Performance versus Quiet/Silent modes) of the Asus RoG Radeon RX 5700 XT Strix OC, the Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT Pulse, and the non-XT Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 Pulse. The testing reveals distinct trade-offs between acoustic comfort and maximum thermal headroom across the cards. While the default...Read more

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