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The Sapphire R9 380 Nitro 4GB is a good mid-range graphics card that doesn't break the bank and offers comfortable 1920×1080 gaming performance.
Sapphire's twin-fan Nitro cooler is a well-designed model that effectively cools the GPU core. Attention is also paid to cooling of the card's power-switching MOSFETs, which is always good to see on a mid-range graphics card. I would, however, have liked to see a low-cost backplate deployed by Sapphire.
Backplates very rarely get used on cards below the higher-end performance scale, but our thermal imaging photos show how a low-cost, heat-spreading backplate would help to mitigate hotspots behind the VRM area. This backplate design could be very simple (a sheet of metal with some thermal pads) and could be implemented without noticeable addition to the cost.
The noise levels were perfectly tolerable (in our unfortunately loud testing environment), even whilst gaming. Sapphire implements a 0dB fan mode for times of low GPU load, even if the Antigua Pro (formerly Tonga) graphics core is not particularly well optimised for such operation judging by the high idle GPU temperature.
Performance of the Sapphire R9 380 Nitro 4GB is roughly on par with a factory-overclocked GTX960, 4GB models of which retail for a similar price to the AMD-based offering. Our R9 380 Nitro sample allowed a quick-and-easy overclock to be tuned in, netting a straightforward performance boost of around 10%.
Power consumption is a clear weakness for the R9 380 and its ageing GPU core. Whilst gaming, the R9 380 consumed around 60W more power than a GTX960. It's not only the electricity bill that suffers from increased power draw, but also the temperature inside your chassis and gaming room, as well as the effort required by a card's cooler.
Priced at £179.99 from OverclockersUK, the Sapphire R9 380 Nitro 4GB is a solid option that delivers compelling 1080P performance for the price, and decent 1440P numbers with reduced image quality settings. The similarly-priced GTX960 solutions are competitive alternatives, so the purchasing decision boils down to varied aspects such as the games you play, FreeSync or G-Sync support, and possible multi-GPU options with your motherboard.
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Pros:
- Strong 1920×1080 frame rates and decent 1440P results with reduced IQ settings.
- Sapphire's twin-fan Nitro cooler does a good job and is quiet.
- Supports a 0dB fan mode.
- Understated colour scheme and overall design.
- 4GB VRAM is plenty for games such as GTA V and Shadow of Mordor at 1080P and 1440P.
Cons:
- High power consumption from the R9 380 GPU.
- A low-cost backplate would help spread heat across the rear PCB surface (away from the VRM).
KitGuru says: Sapphire's R9 380 Nitro 4GB is a smart option for delivering playable frame rates in a quiet, well-cooled package.
Can you try to make a CF (4GB) review?
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To add perspective, this 380 was up against a 3-Slot Über OC Palit GTX 960 Super Jetstream 2Gb, and this even with cost disparity of being a 4G unit is just £4 more right today. I see a good purchase or a high priced 960!
Considering the Palit GTX 960 Super Jetstream 2Gb you tested back Feb ’15 only provided 6% more OC it’s fairly spent in what it can provide in more FpS. Also, for the 3-Slot Palit cooler and Maxwell efficacy, the Nitro cooler is offering excellent cooling under gaming, even with the Palit having a big chunk of its cooler hanging out in the clear through flow air, because of it’s short PCB.
As they stand they’re close competitors, but when the Sapphire Nitro truly pedestrian, while hardly any huge factory OC (985MHz) version. I say it held up excellent against what is one of the “preeminent 960” offered… which anymore seems overpriced. Perhaps a more proper vying would be something like XFX Black 380 4G with a 1030MHz, that would give a clear picture of what are the “ultimate versions” from either side.
Hello! I have just received my r9 380 4g. Didn’t expect thechanges from the review product… The version I have received now have 1010 Mhz default core clock. And an unexpected backplate. Yes a backplate that looks similar to the r9 390 version. Plus a free Dirt 3 game. Although I was wondering, r9 380 is under Gold Reward group which was listed as to receive 3 games but I only got 1. (Is this only for reference cards? see AMD Never Settle Promo).
Anyway Photos of the backplate could be seen at the link below.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12208225/20151029_211102.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12208225/20151029_212041.jpg
A great deal anyway! Thanks AMD and Sapphire!
It deems Sapphire started to supply all the 300 series with Backplates now. And they have a nice design to them too, like yours.
IMO, these little things make the 380 worth every penny.