Wondering about power usage and graphics cards

[Grumple]

Hi, I've recently designed a computer and chose the hd 6970 graphics card. I then decided to change it to the gtx 580, why does the website say that with the 6970 622w of power is used, whereas with the gtx 580 1.5gb it says only 575w is used? just a little confused as i've heard it uses more power than the 6970, would have thought a better card would, thanks for reading.

Oh and, is it ok if I ammend my order during the pre-production stage?

 

[Rakk]

Oh and, is it ok if I ammend my order during the pre-production stage?

Yes, its free to change during pre-production, though if you make numerous amounts of changes it may start to slow things down a little.

 

[Fear]

I have always found that AMD are power hungry beasts compared with nvidia when checking reviews but you pay more for nvidia cards (money i am sure you get back in electric bill savings*) i would reccomend the GTX580 to anyone that can fit it in the budget not played anything yet that it can't max out.

* this is not guaranteed lol

 

[Grumple]

ha, fair enough. Thanks a lot for the help

 

[Grumple]

Thanks a lot, cleared up my concerns, wasn't sure whether I could or not this close to the building

 

[Tom DWC]

I have always found that AMD are power hungry beasts compared with nvidia when checking reviews but you pay more for nvidia cards (money i am sure you get back in electric bill savings*) i would reccomend the GTX580 to anyone that can fit it in the budget not played anything yet that it can't max out.

* this is not guaranteed lol

AMD bashing, tut tut.

Their cards are usually more efficient power wise, with the exception of the dual cards. The Phenom range of CPUs are power hungry compared to sandy bridge processors however.

Bulldozer has very low idle power draw but a mammoth one when you overclock it under load. Which you would want to do because stock performance sucks. Actually, so does bulldozer.

Sandy Bridge + AMD card for a green friendly rig.

 

[Wozza63]

AMD bashing, tut tut.

Their cards are usually more efficient power wise, with the exception of the dual cards. The Phenom range of CPUs are power hungry compared to sandy bridge processors however.

Bulldozer has very low idle power draw but a mammoth one when you overclock it under load. Which you would want to do because stock performance sucks. Actually, so does bulldozer.

Sandy Bridge + AMD card for a green friendly rig.

personally, i prefer nVidia by a long shot and so do a lot of people I know, all the reviews bend their way in comparisons and they always outperform by a few FPS on most high end card (ie. GTX570 vs HD6970)

 

[Tom DWC]

personally, i prefer nVidia by a long shot and so do a lot of people I know, all the reviews bend their way in comparisons and they always outperform by a few FPS on most high end card (ie. GTX570 vs HD6970)

It varies from generation to generation to be honest e.g. GTX 4 series was loud and power hungry, AMD 5 series quieter and often matched performance etc.

NVIDIA cards do have an advantage in terms of video editing and Physx. Physx is just a technology that they've monopolized, and continue to make no effort to make multi threaded for CPUs etc. personally I won't support a technology that does everything possible to shut out the competition even if the same effects are possible through rival brands. And how many games you want run it anyway? All I can think of is Arkham City and that's only cause they've worked very closely with NVIDIA. folding on AMD cards is improving dramatically with the BETA client.

On most games both manufacturers exchange blows, no clear winner overall.

 

[Wozza63]

i would much rather an nvidia though, there is no two ways about it and wouldnt consider changing, the 500 series are so much more efficient than the HD6000s and put out much less heat from everywhere ive read, 570 can apparently be like an ice block at times compared with the 6970

 

[Tom DWC]

i would much rather an nvidia though, there is no two ways about it and wouldnt consider changing, the 500 series are so much more efficient than the HD6000s and put out much less heat from everywhere ive read, 570 can apparently be like an ice block at times compared with the 6970

"It varies from generation to generation to be honest"

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2010/12/15/ati-radeon-hd-6970-review/10

I never find bit tech very favourable towards AMD so if they show them at an advantage, it usually is.

Much depends on the brand of the card anyway - not many people run stock/non-modded cards. Sticking to the heat/power side of things as this is what this thread is about.

 

[Phoenix]

^ Yep AMD is generally more power efficient than Nvidia, I think the configurator is wrong about the HD6970.

 

[tom_gr7]

I always thought it was the other way around, oh well ya learn something new everyday.

 

[Wozza63]

i would have always AMD are less energy efficient seeing as their processors probably use about 20% more than Intel