MPEG2 HD Test

Our test setup remains the same as the idle power tests with the Vista power profile set to Balanced. Our feature title is Crank, with a video bitrate up to 37Mbps and an uncompressed PCM soundtrack rated at 6144Kbps or a Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 EX track at 640Kbps.


Power
Consumption - Minimum Spec CPU

Power
Consumption - Dual Core

Power
Consumption - Quad Core

Much like our idle tests, the advantages go to the Biostar TF8200 A2+ board equipped with the GeForce 8200 chipset. The results are an 18W and 25W advantage with the low-end CPUs, 8W and 15W with the dual cores, and an outstanding 10W and 24W difference with the quad cores.

Our initial CPU utilization testing shows the GeForce 8200 and 780G chipsets to be nearly identical so we can negate any potential differences in this area. We are still analyzing the new image quality results, but they seem to be very close so far. We will temper our excitement for now, as new drivers that implement several missing features should be available shortly. We will revise our numbers if there are any significant changes.

Watting to Exhale Doh!
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  • LuxZg - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    First, I have to agree with Black Jacque, again I see reviews of low power systems done with higher power supplies, which is not good. Out of those 100-130W you probably have another 10% wasted power on PSU inefficiencies, which is sometimes as much as you save by choosing "right" chipset/CPU combo.

    Anyway, now that we know which chipsets are good and low power, and that they can run HD video, could you make an article that would show an alternative power source of around 180W? Let's say solar cells? I saw an article like that a while ago on Tom's (found it! http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/technical-foun...">http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/tec...dations-... ) and it would be nice to see a similar "investigation" after you finish this IGP comparision series :)
  • Calin - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    You are comparing the performance of an AMD single core (LE1600) processor against the dual core E2200 from Intel?
  • Conroe - Saturday, April 19, 2008 - link

    Why not test with a 440? It's not that anyone would recommend a single core now with prices as they are. In my opinion dual core are even more green as you almost double processing power only adding a few more watts to the total. Either way I'm sure G35 still uses more power.
  • Black Jacque - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    I note they used a Corsair CMPSU-520HX for the testing. This PSU is inappropriately sized for the wattages reported.

    To get the highest efficiency out of that power supply you should run at about half its rated wattage.
  • strikeback03 - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    Might be the smallest PSU they have around. Other than the small Seasonics and the Antec Earthwatts series, are there many power supplies in the 300-400 watt range that are reasonably high quality and more efficient?

    Side note: Love how Newegg's "Play it green" banner shows an Antec TruePower Quattro 1000. Nothing says green like a thousand watt PSU.
  • cghebert - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    The ECS version of the 8200 is available now

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...N82E1681...

    But I believe the rest won't be released until later this month due to incomplete drivers from Nvidia at this point.

    Gary, another great teaser article. I'm still sitting on my hands waiting for the full 780g and geforce 8200 roundup. Will any of the tests be done under Windows XP, or will it all be Vista?

  • Martimus - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    That's a good question. I know that I plan on using Linux on my HTPC that I am building. (planning on a 780G and 4850e X2, but may change my mind based on your article)

    Also, does the 4850e X2 come with a quiet heatsink, or is it rather loud? I am trying to make the system as quiet as possible.
  • gogos7 - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    You used an Asus motherboard in the Intel configuration.

    Asus M/Bs (the last 2 years) are well known for their high power consumption.

    What do you expect?
  • sprockkets - Sunday, April 20, 2008 - link

    They are the only one at the time that have a G35 board available.
  • R3MF - Friday, April 18, 2008 - link

    I am sat on a wad of cash looking to buy a mATX gaming system for a SUGO 03 case, and completely stymied by the lack of decent AM2+ boards capable to REALLY taking 125W load processors.

    Both MSI and Abit have solid-caps 8200 boards advertised which is great, but there is complete silence over when they will be released!

    When can i buy an 8200 board?

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