How much power used?

[genegold]

Think of a video card's power usage on a continuum from idle to a very demanding game. Is there a graph or good description around anywhere that shows how much power (W) is used for different types of desktop computing activities? Thanks,

 

[CurseTheSky]

It depends on what's inside the computer.

A system with an i5-750 @ stock, HD 5770, and a single hard drive is going to consume far less power than an overclocked i7-920, GTX 480 SLI, and four hard drives, even if they're both playing the same game.

 

[tweakboy]

Well video card wise I know nVidia is 335watts , your cpu maybe 95watts . You would need a 650watt minimum multiple rails .

When your system is on it doesnt take up the PSU wattage power. It takes up what is in use. Soo your 600watt psu say , uses on average even when gaming 400watts for example.. thx and gl,

 

[thedosbox]

Think of a video card's power usage on a continuum from idle to a very demanding game. Is there a graph or good description around anywhere that shows how much power (W) is used for different types of desktop computing activities? Thanks,

As usual, you should ignore tweakboy. Instead, this is about as close as you're going to get:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gpu-power-consumption-2010_3.html#sect0

Xbitlabs regularly measure power consumption of the video card only, not an entire system.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Techpowerup:
http://techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/HD_5750_Low_Profile/26.html

Has a nice "average" comparison.

 

[genegold]

Those two links are helpful. Here's another one: http://www.behardware.com/articles/781-1/report-the-true-power-consumption-of-73-graphics-cards.html

Most tables give only idle 2D draw (which isn't really idle) and peak draw, typically heavy duty 3D games. I've been curious about the range of 2D power usage, i.e., what is the practical trade off in electrical costs and heat generation between different cards for the vast majority of my computer usage time (leaving aside variation between manufacturers).

P.S. Though I have instant email notification on, nothing came. Is that a bug?