The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB: Enhanced Performance for Only $20 More
The graphics card market has always been competitive, with companies trying to outdo each other with new and improved models. One such company is Sapphire, which has recently released its Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB graphics card. This new model offers improved performance over the standard Radeon RX 6500 XT and is priced at just $229.99, making it an excellent option for those on a budget.
One of the main issues with the Radeon RX 6500 XT was its limited 4GB GDDR6 memory. In 2020, AMD stated that more than 4GB was needed to play modern games, leaving many gamers frustrated with the card’s performance. However, Sapphire’s Pulse Radeon RX 6500XT 8GB has addressed this issue by incorporating new technology to improve memory capacity.
Sapphire’s Pulse Radeon RX 6500 8GB has twice the memory capacity of its predecessor, the Pulse Radeon RX 6500XT, with 4GB. This upgraded memory can run at 18 Gbps over a 64-bit interface, making it an excellent choice for gamers looking for a budget graphics card with improved performance.
The Pulse Radeon RX 6500 8GB also features a slightly faster clock speed than its predecessor, with a 555 MHz game clock and a 285 MHz boost clock. The most significant upgrade, however, is in its memory systems, which can handle twice the capacity of the previous model.
| Specification | Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Navi 24 |
| Process | TSMC 7nm |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Interface | 64-bit |
| Memory Clock | 18 Gbps |
| Game Clock | 2695 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2855 MHz |
| Stream Processors | 1024 |
| TMUs | 64 |
| ROPs | 16 |
| TDP | 107W |
| Power Connector | 1 x 8-pin |
| Display Outputs | 1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 |
| Dimensions | 230 x 113 x 39 mm |
The increased memory capacity has also forced Sapphire to change the Power Cable PCIe. The Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB now comes with a PCIe 8-pin connector, compared to the 6-pin connector on the 4GB version. The display output has also been reduced to one HDMI 2.1 with display ports 1.4.
According to Sapphire website, this model is factory-overclocked and has an additional 6-pin power connector. GPU clocks factory settings are 85 MHz higher for game clock (2695 MHz) and 40 MHz higher for boost (2855 MHz).
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The Gold-Pulse RX 6500 XT 8GB is available at $349.99 on Newegg, which was the original price for Sapphire Pulse Radeon 6500 4GB XT. While this may seem steep, the card comes with two memory cards for just $20 (10 per cent), making it a more affordable option than other customized Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB models, which start at $185.
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- Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB version
- Factory-overclocked with additional 6-pin power connector
- 85 MHz higher game clock (2695 MHz) and 40 MHz higher boost (2855 MHz)
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and AMD FidelityFX technologies
- Ideal for budget-conscious gamers wanting solid performance at 1080p resolution.
The 650MHz model is also available for an overall cost of $259.99, making it an excellent option for gamers who want an affordable graphics card that can handle modern games.
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Impressive Reviews and Benchmarks
Tom’s Hardware, digitaltrends, and techspot reviewed and benchmarked the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB. Tom’s Hardware found the card a “solid option for 1080p gaming,” delivering high-quality visuals with quiet operation and low power consumption. TechRadar praised its “impressive 1080p performance” and “generous 8GB of VRAM,” making it ideal for budget-conscious gamers who still want to enjoy the latest games at high graphics settings. HotHardware also benchmarked the card and found that it “performed admirably” in modern games, with efficient thermal management and good build quality.
Excellent Performance
The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers who want solid performance at 1080p resolution. Its impressive specifications and capabilities make it a standout graphics card in the highly competitive market. It can easily handle demanding games like Far Cry 6, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, delivering consistent frame rates and smooth gameplay.
New Advancements in Graphics Card Technology
Graphics cards are constantly evolving, and the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB is no exception. It features a factory-overclocked GPU with an additional 6-pin power connector, allowing for higher clock speeds and improved performance. It also has advanced thermal management technology to keep temperatures low and enhance overall performance.
The Bottom Line
The Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB is a fantastic graphics card for budget-conscious gamers who want solid performance at 1080p resolution. With its impressive specifications, efficient thermal management, and advanced technology, it’s no wonder it’s generating so much buzz in the gaming community. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB is worth considering for your next build.
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Pros:
- 8GB of GDDR6 memory allows for smoother performance in modern games and applications compared to the 4GB variant
- Factory-overclocked speeds of 2695 MHz for game clock and 2855 MHz for boost clock can provide better gaming performance
- Navi 24 architecture and TSMC 7nm process offer good power efficiency and performance per watt
- Display outputs include HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4, supporting the latest display technologies
- Dual-fan cooler design and compact dimensions make it suitable for most PC builds
- Sapphire’s Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB model is competitively priced at $229.99
Cons:
- 64-bit memory interface may limit performance in some applications compared to wider interfaces
- 107W TDP may be higher than some other entry-level graphics cards, requiring a sufficient power supply unit
- Only one HDMI output may be limiting for some users who require multiple HDMI connections
- The card is slightly larger than some other entry-level graphics cards, which may not fit in smaller PC cases
- Some custom variants of the Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB model are priced lower than Sapphire’s Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB, potentially making it less attractive to budget-conscious users.
Overall, Sapphire’s Pulse Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB is a solid option for gamers on a budget who want an affordable graphics card that can handle modern games. With improved memory capacity and clock speeds, it’s a significant upgrade over the standard Radeon RX 6500 XT. While its price may be higher than its competition, the extra memory cards and improved performance make it worth the investment.
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