Power Consumption

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When it comes to global power consumption, the system doesn’t seem to need more than 350 W (meaning 300 W for the configuration itself once we subtract power supply losses). A power supply unit of 580 W minimum, as NVIDIA demands, is surreal overkill. Even when future games better use quad core processors and graphic cards, a model from a good brand that delivers 450 W continuously should be more than adequate.

AMD’s Radeon HD 3870 X2 yields similar results to those we’ve already seen with the HD 3870 (when compared with a 9600 GT), meaning low power consumption when idle (18% lower than a 9800 GX2, when considering the global configuration), thanks to the use of a 55 nm process and more aggressive clock gating. However, when in peak, the outrageous raw throughput of the 3870 X2 resulting from the number of stream processors, means it demands more than the new comer, despite performance being 37% lower in this game/mode. Its performance - consumption ratio remains 40% higher in this case.


Talkback
darthpoik 19/03/2008 01:32
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darthpoik
Doesn't inspire much. I might stay with my 8800 gtx and just overclock it.
dobby 19/03/2008 02:26
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dobby
some nice footage comparing the 3870X2 and the 9800GX2

i like the nvidia chip here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU
two bit hit 19/03/2008 05:01
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two bit hit
Wow, Rick Rolling Dobby, nice and mature. The card looks great, I'm tempted to shell out for a good 24" monitor now.
kye3k1 19/03/2008 11:56
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kye3k1
I dont know whether I should blow all my money on this card or buy a 360

Tough choice
blazer666_uk 20/03/2008 02:45
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blazer666_uk
Ill keep my 8800GTX and wait a bit longer
BobWya 20/03/2008 01:58
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BobWya
I don't like the design of the 9800 GX2. Aircooling for it is a disaster.. How can you watercool this beast?? The performance is rubbish given the amount of room it takes up!!

I think most people were expecting the 9800GTX to be a 1Gb card with similar architecture to the 8800GTS but with a 512bit memory bus like AMD/ATI. A big disappointment about the memory architecture. Nvidia need a die shrink ASAP and a move to wider buses like ATI...

The problem of course is AMD/ATI not delivering in the processing power department with the 3870 (X2). Therefore there is no incentive for Nvidia to leap-frog a really powerful ATI GPU (like the X1900XTX situation).

Bob
Mugz 20/03/2008 04:50
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Mugz
It's cute. I was wondering when nVidia was going to do a DX10 dual-chip card.

*checks wallet*

*has wallet shot*
leexgx 25/03/2008 05:38
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leexgx
its realy 2x 8800gt cards in there not sure why thay called it an 9800 GX2 when it should realy be 8800 GX2 as its not useing the 9600 tech

1 9800 GTX card should be Close to this card perfoamce wise (seen what the 9600gt does and it only has 64 SP the 8800 gts has 128 SP)

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