Graphics card power consumption

[Abz Hussain]

Hi, i have a question regarding the above.
I am aware that when gaming with a discrete graphics card and when playing some of the more intensive games the GPU's are maxing out and this is where they use max power consumption.
What i want to know is when one is not gaming but doing other tasks such as say movie playback, or just general surfing the net, light photoshop etc how much power is the card using then?
If someone coud maybe give an answer in say percentage terms that would be helpful.

 

[d_brennen]

A piece of string is this long <-------------->

Seriously, it depends on the model, power consumption varies wildly. Generally modern GPUs are very frugal while under light load. If you are worried how much your GPU is costing you in electricity I'd say you have the wrong hobby

 

[Abz Hussain]

A piece of string is this long <-------------->

Seriously, it depends on the model, power consumption varies wildly. Generally modern GPUs are very frugal while under light load. If you are worried how much your GPU is costing you in electricity I'd say you have the wrong hobby

No its not that. Was a question more out of curiosity. Thanks anyway, im off to spec myself a graphics card lol. Cant wait for Kepler.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there,

Here is a review which shows the power consumption of many modern graphics cards (including the 7970) in a range of activities.

 

[Abz Hussain]

Hi there,

Here is a review which shows the power consumption of many modern graphics cards (including the 7970) in a range of activities.

You are the man, thats exactly the kind of information i was after. Thank you.

 

[Abz Hussain]

Well, im looking at the 6970 vs the GTX570. One of these is going to be my new GPU or 2 x460's.
Gpu to be water cooled too.
Which one and why?

 

[FallshirmjAEger]

I have the EVGA 570 which came pre-overclocked. Pretty solid card performance -wise.

Newer Nvidia cards, when not doing anything, will clock right down to 50mhz on the gpu & 150mhz on the memory etc to save power. As such, my idle temp would be around 37c.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I say 'would' since I'm running my monitor at 120hz which causes the clocks to bump up about half way (Middle one^). Card currently idle at 39 degrees which is pretty awesome.

 

[Abz Hussain]

I have the EVGA 570 which came pre-overclocked. Pretty solid card performance -wise.

Newer Nvidia cards, when not doing anything, will clock right down to 50mhz on the gpu & 150mhz on the memory etc to save power. As such, my idle temp would be around 37c.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I say 'would' since I'm running my monitor at 120hz which causes the clocks to bump up about half way (Middle one^). Card currently idle at 39 degrees which is pretty awesome.

I must say my preference is with the 570 at the moment. Thanks for those images btw. Hows the noise from the fans for you?