Sapphire has showcased its latest hardware creations at Computex 2025, marking a huge step towards cleaner and cable-free PCs. Based on Asus’ BTF standard for back-side connect motherboards, Nitro+ RX 9070 XT PhantomLink GPU features the latest innovations in terms of hidden power delivery.
Initially introduced by Asus, the GC-HPWR connector saw a welcome change recently with the release of the BTF 2.0 revision, allowing it to retain compatibility with non-BTF systems. Instead of feeding power via an eight-pin or 12V-2×6 cable, the graphics card gets connected directly to a new header located near the PCIe slot, removing the need for cables. To be fair, you will still need to hook a power source to the motherboard, but since all cables will be connected to its back, it at least appears as though none are needed.
Unlike its original form, the GC-HPWR connector is now modular, allowing you to remove it from the graphics card if the motherboard isn’t compatible. In that case, Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 XT PhantomLink will be fed via the 12V-2×6 cable hidden below its backplate. This versatility makes Asus’ BTF 2.0 standard a prime solution for any brand wanting to ditch power cables, without forcing them into a locked proprietary ecosystem.
To complement its PhantomLink GPU, Sapphire is also planning to release a compatible motherboard called Nitro+ X870EA WiFi PhantomLink. This board features the GC-HPWR power connector on the primary PCIe 5.0 slot where GPUs are generally installed. That said, unlike true BTF boards, this one keeps a regular layout with front-facing connectors. Among these, we can see a 12V-2×6 header which acts as a bridge between the GC-HPWR and PSU.
Design-wise, RX 9070 XT PhantomLink is topped with a chunky triple-fan cooler that has great industrial-looking aesthetics. Like its regular siblings, Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 XT PhantomLink graphics card carries a 64-CU (Compute Unit) RDNA 4 GPU coupled with 16GB of GDDR6 memory. The brand announces up to 2,520MHz game and 3,060MHz boost clocks for the GPU, with a total board power of 330W. In other words, you can expect identical performance, noise, and thermals to the original Nitro+ Radeon RX 9070 XT, but now in a cable-free design.
Sapphire expects both the GPU and motherboard to arrive in September 2025, though plans may change. Pricing is also to be determined, but you can already expect a slight premium over its non-BTF sibling.
