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Power Consumption, Noise, And Temperature

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All power consumption measurements are taken at the wall socket and apply to the entire system, not just the individual card. The 2D value represents an idling system displaying the Windows Vista desktop with Aero deactivated. 3D power consumption is measured with both the graphics card and the CPU under full load. Our power supply is rated at an average efficiency of 82.4 percent by the manufacturer.

Power Consumption
2D (watts)
3D (watts)
Power Supply Requirements
GeForce GTX 295 (2 x 896MB)1834461 x 6 + 1 x 8 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTX 285 (1,024MB)1493472 x 6 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTX 280 (1,024MB)1543461 x 6 + 1 x 8 Pin PCIe
BFG GTX 275 (GTX 275 896MB)1553542 x 6 Pin PCIe
Gainward GTX275 GS (GTX 275 896MB)1573602 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI N275GTX Lightning Max OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)1473502 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI N275GTX Lightning (GTX 275 1,792MB)1473322 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI N275GTX Lightning No OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)1473252 x 6 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTX 275 (896MB)1563512 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI N260GTX Lightning (GTX 260 216SPs 1,792MB)1503002 x 6 Pin PCIe
Sparkle GeForce X265 (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)1953682 x 6 Pin PCIe
Zotac GeForce GTX 260² (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)1502952 x 6 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTX 260 216SPs (896MB)1502952 x 6 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTX 260 (896MB)1543302 x 6 Pin PCIe
GeForce GTS 250 (1,024MB)1562651 x 8 Pin PCIe
ATI Radeon HD 5770 OC (1,024MB)1372311 x 6 Pin PCIe
ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,024MB)1372251 x 6 Pin PCIe
Sapphire Toxic HD4890 Vapor-X (HD 4890 1,024MB)1883531 x 6 + 1 x 8 Pin PCIe
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC max OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)2023902 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC (HD 4890 1,024MB)1963802 x 6 Pin PCIe
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC no OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)1933482 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4890 (1,024MB)1823122 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4870 X2 (2 x 1,024MB)2344651 x 6 + 1 x 8 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4870 (1,024MB)1842772 x 6 Pin PCIe
HIS H487QT1GP ICEQ4+ (HD 4870 1,024MB)1962982 x 6 Pin PCIe
Sapphire Vapor-X HD4870 2G (HD 4870 2,048MB)1892932 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4870 (512MB)1912882 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4850 (512MB)1662701 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4830 (512MB)1402341 x 6 Pin PCIe
Radeon HD 4770 (512MB)1521991 x 6 Pin PCIe
Noise Level
2D dB (A)
3D dB (B)
Cooling Type
GeForce GTX 295 (2 x 896MB)38.249.7Active
GeForce GTX 285 (1,024MB)37.951.4Reference Active
GeForce GTX 280 (1,024MB)38.045.4Reference Active
BFG GTX 275 (GTX 275 896MB36.844.2Reference Active
Gainward GTX275 GS (GTX 275 896MB)37.743.4Active Dual Fans
MSI N275GTX Lightning max OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)36.842.0Active Dual Fans
MSI N275GTX Lightning (GTX 275 1,792MB)36.840.2Active Dual Fans
MSI N275GTX Lightning no OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)36.837.9Active Dual Fans
GeForce GTX 275 (896MB)36.844.2Reference Active
MSI N260GTX Lightning (GTX 260 216SPs 1,792MB)36.850.1-56.5Active
Sparkle GeForce X265 (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)36.446.0Active
Zotac GeForce GTX 260² (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)37.541.2Reference Active
GeForce GTX 260 216SPs (896MB)37.541.2Reference Active
GeForce GTX 260 (896MB)37.853.8Reference Active
GeForce GTS 250 (1,024MB)39.650.2Reference Active
ATI Radeon HD 5770 OC (1,024MB)36.740.5Reference Active
ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,024MB)36.739.0Reference Active
Sapphire Toxic HD4890 Vapor-X (HD 4890 1,024MB)36.241.3Active Vapor-X
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC Max OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)36.350.4Active
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC (HD 4890 1,024MB)36.346.5Active
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC No OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)36.343.1Active
Radeon HD 4890 (1,024MB)36.748.4Reference Active
Radeon HD 4870 X2 (2 x 1,024MB)51.260.4Reference (MSI Fan Profile)
Radeon HD 4870 (1,024MB)35.440.7Active
HIS H487QT1GP ICEQ4+ (HD 4870 1,024MB)36.852.1Active ICEQ4+
Sapphire Vapor-X HD4870 2G (HD 4870 2,048MB)36.038.2Active Vapor-X
Radeon HD 4870 (512MB)38.049.4Reference (MSI Fan Profile)
Radeon HD 4850 (512MB)36.247.9Reference Active
Radeon HD 4830 (512MB)40.541.2Active
Radeon HD 4770 (512MB)36.338.5Reference Active
Temperature
2D (Degrees C)
3D (Degrees C)
Fan Size
GeForce GTX 295 (2 x 896MB)46/4676/7684mm
GeForce GTX 285 (1,024MB)458575mm
GeForce GTX 280 (1,024MB)458675mm
BFG GTX 275 (GTX 275 896MB)479275mm
Gainward GTX275 GS (GTX 275 896MB)46882 x 75mm
MSI N275GTX Lightning max OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)41772 x 75mm
MSI N275GTX Lightning (GTX 275 1,792MB)41762 x 75mm
MSI N275GTX Lightning no OC (GTX 275 1,792MB)41782 x 75mm
GeForce GTX 275 (896MB)479275mm
MSI N260GTX Lightning (GTX 260 216SPs 1,792MB)4568-632 x 65mm
Sparkle GeForce X265 (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)61872 x 65mm
Zotac GeForce GTX 260² (GTX 260 216SPs 896MB)458175mm
GeForce GTX 260 216SPs (896MB)458175mm
GeForce GTX 260 (896MB)489075mm
GeForce GTS 250 (1,024MB)447775mm
ATI Radeon HD 5770 OC (1,024MB)417268mm
ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1,024MB)416968mm
Sapphire Toxic HD4890 Vapor-X (HD 4890 1,024MB)498488mm
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC max OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)517895mm
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC (HD 4890 1,024MB)518195mm
MSI R4890 Cyclone SOC no OC (HD 4890 1,024MB)517895mm
Radeon HD 4890 (1,024MB)608073mm
Radeon HD 4870 X2 (2 x 1,024MB)497973mm
Radeon HD 4870 (1,024MB)497085mm
HIS H487QT1GP ICEQ4+ (HD 4870 1,024MB)687480mm
Sapphire Vapor-X HD4870 2G (HD 4870 2,048MB)587675mm
Radeon HD 4870 (512MB)607473mm
Radeon HD 4850 (512MB)799460mm
Radeon HD 4830 (512MB)346174mm
Radeon HD 4770 (512MB)527270mm
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silverblue 24/11/2009 12:51
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-4+

I'm struggling to figure out why people keep using The Last Remnant as a benchmark considering how skewed its results are in favour of nVidia cards. Apart from that, good guide.

jennyh 25/11/2009 12:58
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-1+

Nvidia bias as usual from THG.

Faustinono 26/11/2009 10:16
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-0+

An HIS 5770 is available in Australia for under $A200, Powercolor even cheaper. Fantastic value, particularly with the scope for overclocking. I'll be in India for the next two months, interesting to check Mumbai prices.

damian86 30/11/2009 19:11
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-0+

Nice guide.I'm happy how you tested it with the tom clancy's games,and fallout 3,but,to make it better Crysis & Crysis warhead should be in the list,those games need a powerfull engine:)Nice anyway.

Anonymous 14/01/2010 12:38
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-0+

im also suprised the only 5000 series here is the 5770. ODD isnt it

Anonymous 14/01/2010 12:44
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-0+

The 5870 and 5970 came out on the open market like what 3 months ago. It is odd that these guys cant acknowledge there EXISTENCE. I do believe they are biased in there benchmarks. I mean if u can show Nvideas 2gig card why on earth wouldnt u show ATI`s 2gig card. Or even the 1gig. Not very honest on there part i am ashamed to say.

Anonymous 04/02/2010 18:41
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-0+

i am waiting to take order of one of these cards cant wait.....had to upgrade the psu to a 700w(mainly becaue it was cheeper then a 500w) going to put it all in 2morro night will let you know how it handles

p.s good review

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