Sapphire makes cables optional with Radeon RX 9070 XT PhantomLink

Arguably the best solution yet for cable-free graphics cards.

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.

Sapphire PhantomLink power connector.

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.

Fahd Temsamani
Fahd Temsamani
Senior Writer at Club386, his love for computers began with an IBM running MS-DOS, and he’s been pushing the limits of technology ever since. Known for his overclocking prowess, Fahd once unlocked an extra 1.1GHz from a humble Pentium E5300 - a feat that cemented his reputation as a master tinkerer. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, his motto when building a new rig is ‘il ne faut rien laisser au hasard.’

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