Article: Power Consumption of Contemporary Graphics Cards

[TVeblen]

This article will help in the endless debate about how large a power supply you need to run a gaming card. The tests show conclusively that the answer is an undeniable: "It depends"!

Interesting. Enjoy.

Power Consumption of Contemporary Graphics Accelerators: Spring 2010 - X-bit labs

 

[mickey megabyte]

here's a slightly more modern list, including a lot more cards:

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thorstein:

I assume that chart is for entire systems, not just for the card??

 

[stormy13]

Cards only. These guys,

techPowerUp! :: Reviews

are one of the few that show what the card uses as opposed to system total in their video card reviews, using something like this,

The Real Power Consumption of 73 Graphics Cards - 3D Tech News and Pixel Hacking - Geeks3D.com

or the system X-Bit used,

Power Consumption of Contemporary Graphics Accelerators: Spring 2010. Page 2 - X-bit labs

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks TVeblen. A long read but interesting. I really don't think the debate will never stop. I have a power supply method without charts. I call it the L.B. Method.
1/ Select a video card
2/ Research and find out what they recommend for minimum wattage power supply. Let's say 500W.
3/ Add another 100W because they did say minimum.
4/ Add another 100W or more to be sure your power supply is running in what I call it's sweet spot. Some where in it's mid range when you work your computer max out. This means your power supply runs cooler, quieter and put out a cleaner amp and volt signal. Less distortion. It also give you the ability to add hardware later without upgrading your power supply.
Using the L.B. Method your minimum would be 700W.
5/ Now add the L.B. Go For It. I don't like minimum and the price difference is small.
6/ Conclusion. 850W power supply of quality brand name 80+ Gold.
Note: The L.B.Method requires no special testing equipment or charts and graphs. Rate of success 100%.

 

[bobkn]

Note: The L.B.Method requires no special testing equipment or charts and graphs. Rate of success 100%.

Reminds me of The Rutles (The Rutles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia): "All you need is cash".

 

[Layback Bear]

Well yes you will need a little more cash or credit. In the long run you save and have a happier computer.

 

[3D Jed]

I vote the Layback Bear method the winner !

I started using CoolerMaster GX750W's after I saw some dude on YouTube starting a car with the 12V line

 

[TVeblen]

I also subscribe to the L.B. Method (although I always thought it was the T.V. Method), and I can also report a 100% success rate!

I just found it fascinating that there was so much of a difference in power consumption in the same series of cards. It gives a tinkerer some wicked thoughts.

 

[Layback Bear]

If one studies power supplies to much you computer world gets way to foggy. A simple get it done method works for me. Now I can get to the hard to figure out things. CPU'S, Motherboards, Ram, Video cards. Towers that look good with lots of room and air flow ect. Fans oooh their are hundreds of them out their. It took me many of hours for many weeks to come up with the combination I selected. Once every thing came in I still didn't know if I chose the proper combination. After two RMA on the motherboard everything came together. I'm happy. Do I have more power supply than I need, yes but I could go SLI with no problems. That's a thought. Na maybe later. Everything in your computer starts with a quality power supply so it's no place to save money. I don't want to hear you got a $300.00 video card and an $49.00 power supply. Please help blue screen. Okay it's time for more coffee and medication.

 

[Solarstarshines]

I vote the Layback Bear method the winner !

I started using CoolerMaster GX750W's after I saw some dude on YouTube starting a car with the 12V line

Funny I have the 700 watt extreme one rail 52 amps

 

[TVeblen]

The other advantage is longevity vs capacitor aging.

A power supply steadily decreases in output and efficiency over it's lifetime. So if you buy a "just-enough" supply today you will hit the failure point sooner rather than later, and that does not include any upgrades or additions. So you end up replacing supplies to keep a rig going.

Buying a "too-large" supply has a higher initial cost, but it is still cheaper than buying two small supplies. IMO.

I've got a couple of 11 year old rigs here still humming away on their original "too-large" supplies.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

The problems/debates doesn't come from the senior members it's more from the "one post wonders":sarc:

 

[Seven Eleven]

6/ Conclusion. 850W power supply of quality brand name 80+ Gold.

Just recently came to same conclusion and replaced TX650W (little over 2 years of 24/7 use, after uprading HD5770 to factory overclocked GTX560Ti, coils(or something else) started making funny noises under max load) with AX850. Now it's completely silent and completely modular, too

 

[Layback Bear]

Seams like you caught in time before more damage was done.

 

[Seven Eleven]

Seams like you caught in time before more damage was done.

Yep. At first i wasn't completely sure what started making noises (new video card, almost new mobo, psu, fans...) but since i was planning for some time to get modular psu i started troubleshooting with new psu and that was it.