480x2 SLI to single 7950: How much of a downgrade?

[wbynum]

Did some more detailed testing tonight, with kill-a-watt plugged in. Findings:

Single Monitor Idle:

- 36 celcius
- 0.806 v
- 300 Mhz core
- 150 Mhz memory

Metro 2033 10 Run Pass AAA stock:

- Temp: 71c
- Avg Framerate: 49.00
- Peak 345 watts

Metro 2033 10 Run Pass 4xMSAA stock:

- Temp: 71c
- Avg Framerate: 39.20
- Peak 330 watts

OC settings:

- 1.149 v
- 1075 Mhz core
- 1375 Mhz memory

Metro 2033 10 Run Pass AAA OC:

- Temp: 93c
- Avg Framerate: 59.20
- Peak 510 watts

Metro 2033 10 Run Pass 4xMSAA OC:

- Temp: 93c
- Avg Framerate: 48.20
- Peak 490 watts

Thoughts: Same frame rates as last night. Only 5% - 7% slower than 480 SLI when overclocked. Wattage is certainly up there though. A good ~150 watt bump when overclocking. Still a good 150 - 200 watts less than the 480 SLI stock clocked setup. So less heat, as expected.

Temps and noise when overclocked suck. A 93c temp is bad. Others have reported the same though. Given that the card has 2 fans, it sucks having high temps and the noise of two fans cranking at 100%. About the same noise as the 480 SLI setup. Guess as far as the high temps, I'll let her eat. Lifetime warranty better be worth something...

 

[RaistlinZ]

93c? Jeebus. I'd return that card and get something else, even if you have to pay a small shipping or restocking fee.

 

[Termie]

You're getting 22 percent more frames for what I'm guessing is an astounding doubling of card TDP. Either back off that overclock or return the card. There is absolutely no reason to stress a card like that, at 93C, for that moderate increase in performance. In chasing your 480sli, you're chasing a ghost. Just be happy with lower power/heat and accept that it is significantly slower.

On my old 5850, I benched a 20 percent increase in frames with only an additional 65 watts, with additional voltage.

 

[blckgrffn]

There has to be a sweeter spot in there. What kind of clocks can you get without tweaking the voltage?