Windows 7 - Need an advice - Eco-friendly Graphic card

**Creer** · 10-10-2009

Hi guys,

I have M2A-VM motherboard:
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
with built-in graphic card: Radeon x1250.
This card is OK for me since I very very rare play in PC games, but I was wondering if I can improve my Windows 7 experience. As far as I know, Windows 7 uses DirectX v10, my built-in card uses only v9.
Also what I want to achieve is less CPU usage (when my x1250 unable to meet certain challenges in Windows 7 then for this calculations is uses CPU)

I don't want to buy powerful GPU like the newest graphic cards on the market, what I need is eco-friendy (uses not too much Watt) better than currently mine graphic card.

I was thinking about, for example: Radeon 4670 or GeForce 9500GS but I'm not really sure if they are eco-friendly.

What else can you suggest?

TIA,

**mickey megabyte** · 10-10-2009

have a look at this chart for gpu power requirements - it's a bit old, but you aren't looking for a new card anyway...if you don't play games, then the important figure to look at is the 2d desktop usage.

i would look for a passively-cooled card - ie one that doesn't have a fan. these may save a bit of power, not much maybe, but more importantly will be quiet - no, make that silent.

(how much the heatsinks will contribute to global warming is another question, however.

)

**Creer** · 10-10-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by mickey megabyte

have a look at this chart for gpu power requirements - it's a bit old, but you aren't looking for a new card anyway...if you don't play games, then the important figure to look at is the 2d desktop usage.

i would look for a passively-cooled card - ie one that doesn't have a fan. these may save a bit of power, not much maybe, but more importantly will be quiet - no, make that silent.

(how much the heatsinks will contribute to global warming is another question, however.

)

Hi Mickey,

thanks for your reply.
I looked at link you gave me and it looks like now I have the most eco-friendly graphic card

I don't know how to compare eg. Geforce 8400GS to my current x1250 card both probably have the similar power consumption. Is it really worth to change?
Also I agree with you about passively-cooled card this is one more condition for which I care about.

**mickey megabyte** · 10-10-2009

from the chart, the 8400gs looks like it only uses 83w at the desktop

the x1250 isnt actually listed, but the closest to it is the x1300 which uses 86w

hardly any difference worth worrying about.

although thinking about it, if your x1250 is an integrated chip on the motherboard, it probably uses less power than a whole card.

but you say you want to upgrade anyway, to lower cpu usage - when encoding/decoding video maybe?

in that case, if you really do want to upgrade, go for the 8400 or look at some of the more basic ati/amd cards, such as the 2400 or 2600s.

i can't recommend a particular card, you'll have to look at your favourite retail websites, and check the product specs and pictures to see which cards are passively cooled or not.