Discrete HTPC GPU Shootout
by Ganesh T S on June 12, 2011 10:30 PM ESTFor the purpose of HTPC reviews (in particular, HQV benchmarking for discrete GPUs), we have set up a dedicated testbed with the following configuration.
| HTPC Benchmarking Testbed Setup | |
| Processor | Intel i5-680 CPU - 3.60GHz, 4MB Cache |
| Motherboard | ASUS P7H55D-M EVO |
| OS Hard Drive | Seagate Barracuda XT 2 TB |
| Secondary Drive | Kingston SSDNow 128GB |
| Memory | G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) F3-10666CL7D-4GBECO CAS 7-7-7-21 |
| Video Cards | Various |
| Optical Drives | ASUS 8X Blu-ray Drive Model BC-08B1ST |
| Case | Antec VERIS Fusion Remote Max |
| Power Supply | Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
| . | |
This is the same configuration that we had for evaluating the GT 430 last fall. Windows 7 was updated to SP1, but that has little bearing on our HTPC benchmarks.
Each hardware configuration has an associated OS image which was created / restored as necessary using Clonezilla. This ensures that we do not end up with conflicting drivers while evaluating GPUs from different companies on the same base testbed. Read on for the results from benchmarking the four candidates with the HQV clips
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SouthPaw42 - Sunday, June 12, 2011 - link
To be a HTPC card it has to be passively cooled. Those a mini pc video cards.Spivonious - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Agreed. HTPC should be as quiet as possible. Passively-cooled video is the only choice.Mels - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Some of us have equipment closets dedicated to equipment using RF to communicate. Noise is definitely something most want to keep reduced but not a deal breaker for every person with a HTPC.nevcairiel - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Not necessarily, there are air coolers that are absolutely quiet. Only the very low-end is available with passive, which might be fine for many people, but if you want the "best" out of your HTPC, that cards won't do anymore.Look at the Gigabyte cards with the Windforce coolers, i don't hear a thing.
buzznut - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
HIS has a passively cooled HD6570 at newegg.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
Low profile too.
jigglywiggly - Sunday, June 12, 2011 - link
Now that the swatsitka is removed, I feel like something is missing from this review and I can no longer read it ;'(jwilliams4200 - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
If I add up the string of numbers for the 6570, I get 193, not 197 like you have in the table. Then I see that the 430 also scores 193, and I compared the string of numbers for the 403 and the 6570, and they are identical. So why does it add up to 193 for the 430, but 197 for the 6570?ganeshts - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Sorry for the slip-up.The 'Ferris Wheel' and 'Roller Coaster' Compression Artifacts scores were wrong in the table under the 6570. I have updated them (no change to the total score).
jwilliams4200 - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Also, AMD 6450 adds up to 193, not 189.ganeshts - Monday, June 13, 2011 - link
Made a big mess copying over the values from the spreadsheet I made.. I hope everything is fixed now. Really regret the errors.