Sapphire has officially launched its Nitro+ PhantomLink series, marking its entry into the “cable-less” PC building trend. This new line, initially available in China, adopts a back-connector power delivery standard designed to improve the aesthetics of high-end PC builds by reducing visible cable clutter. The series includes a dark grey motherboard, a limited white edition motherboard, and a compatible GPU.
The PhantomLink standard, as reported by VideoCardz, is Sapphire’s version of the Asus-developed BTF 2.5 (GC-HPWR) system. This design allows the graphics card to receive power directly from the motherboard through a high-power header located next to the main PCIe slot. This innovation removes the need for conventional power cables that typically run across the front of a PC case. For users who may not immediately adopt a specialized motherboard, Sapphire has included a detachable GC-HPWR module, enabling the graphics card to operate with standard hardware using a traditional 12V-2×6 connector.
Image credit: VideoCardz
Accompanying the new GPUs, Sapphire has introduced two compatible motherboards based on the AM5 X870E chipset: the Nitro+ X870EA PhantomLink and the Nitro+ “Aurora” X870EA PhantomLink Polar Edition. These motherboards serve as the central power delivery point for the system, incorporating a rear-mounted power interface to conceal all main cabling behind the motherboard tray. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, these boards are designed for enthusiasts, offering support for PCIe 5.0 storage and graphics, alongside advanced connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 7 and USB4.
The Nitro+ RX 9070 XT PhantomLink graphics card maintains the same specifications as the standard Nitro+ model, as confirmed by VideoCardz. It features 4,096 stream processors and a core clock capable of boosting up to 3,060 MHz. The card is equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, operating at 20 Gbps, and includes 64 MB of Infinity Cache. For user safety, Sapphire has integrated a “PWR CONFLICT” LED, which prevents the card from functioning if both the PhantomLink header and a traditional 12V-2×6 cable are connected simultaneously.
These products are currently available on Chinese retail platforms, with a wider global release anticipated, possibly aligning with CES 2026. Regarding pricing, the Titanium model is listed at 5,799 RMB (approximately £611), and the white Aurora edition is priced slightly higher at 5,999 RMB (roughly £632).
Sapphire appears to be investing in the “clean build” trend as a future standard. Although requiring a specific motherboard could be a barrier for some, the inclusion of a detachable adapter makes these products a more adaptable option for phased system upgrades.
