I'm considering upgrading from my RTX 2070 Super to a Sapphire Pulse 9070 XT. I originally looked at the Nitro+ model too, but the newer power-cable setup put me off. The main goal is to play upcoming games such as Fable, Dawn of War, Total War 40,000, and eventually GTA 6 at high or maximum settings in 1440p. I'd also like the card to last around five or six years, so future-proofing matters.
The card was around £600 in the UK during the past year but is now selling for roughly £740. With Amazon deal events and Black Friday approaching, I'm wondering whether to wait for a possible discount or buy now in case prices keep increasing. I'm not desperate for an upgrade, but I can afford one and don't want to overpay if this is only a temporary price spike. What is the general outlook for GPU pricing, and would you buy this card at £740?
3 Answers
For your target games, the 9070 XT should be a strong 1440p card. It’s listed as suitable for high settings in Fable at that resolution, though maximum settings with heavy ray tracing may require something faster, such as an RTX 5080. For high settings with little or no ray tracing, the 9070 XT should be a good fit for your budget and intended lifespan.
If you need the performance right now, buying now is the safest choice. GPU prices are difficult to predict, and major sale events don’t consistently produce good discounts because popular cards often sell without them. Since you’re not urgently replacing a dead card, waiting is reasonable—but there’s no guarantee the price will fall.
The broad expectation is that graphics card prices are unlikely to drop dramatically in the near term, especially while demand for compute hardware remains strong. A temporary deal could still appear, but waiting may only save money if you happen to catch the right stock and promotion. If the card meets your needs and £740 is affordable, buying it now is defensible.
Appreciate the advice—I went ahead and bought it.
That sounds good enough for what I’m aiming for. I decided to go ahead and purchase the card.