Looking for a card that has low power requirements

[platypus]

..but must have HDMI/HD Audio out.

If possible, though unlikely a max power draw of 300W (for the whole system) would be great. I'm having a look around spec sheets, but any recommendations as it would be quicker?

 

[arc@css]

6850?

 

[Jakus]

..but must have HDMI/HD Audio out.

If possible, though unlikely a max power draw of 300W would be great. I'm having a look around spec sheets, but any recommendations as it would be quicker?

ATI HD5850 is still about the best performance/power ever

 

[Jakus]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_580_Lightning/24.html

Seems the 6850 just edges that out of no1 spot then

 

[platypus]

Cheers; I guess a wider question as well for my curiosity. At what point would a graphics card be under full load? Only in high spec demanding games?

 

[gamerdude1989]

yepp, correct. The higher demand the game has, the higher the load the card will be put under.

And as mentioned, speed wise, the 5850 is still probably the best bang for your buck.
It beats the 6850 also..

 

[Jakus]

Cheers; I guess a wider question as well for my curiosity. At what point would a graphics card be under full load? Only in high spec demanding games?

Correct, It will only pull enough power to do the job in hand, max power will only be at maximum work load.

 

[Sasahara]

Is the 300 W just for the Card or whole system, as very few cards will go over 300 W?

 

[platypus]

Aye for the whole system.

 

[SheepBeast]

Aye for the whole system.

you should probably edit that into OP to make it clear

 

[Sasahara]

ok if you limit for the whole system 300 W.

Not knowing what you already running I'd go for one of these.
Assuming you have PCI-E Mobo

reference design TDP in brackets
HD 5670 (64 W)
OC don't have them atm, around £50

HD 6670 (66 W)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-258-AS
About 15% faster than the HD 5670 £64.99

HD 6770 (108 W)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-200-XF
£83.99

HD 6850 (127 W)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-041-HS
£111.95

The HD 6850 might be pushing it a bit depending on what you are running and might not be worth it if the CPU is too slow.

I've linked AMD cards as they tend to have lower power usage/performance.

 

[Sighn]

Low power cards for ATI's next-gen should provide good performance:consumption ratio if you're able to wait. I'm currently waiting.

 

[platypus]

Cheers guys, some good recommendations here. I'm not in a rush to buy so yeah I'll see what ATI come up with.