IGP Power Consumption - 780G, GF8200, and G35
by Gary Key on April 18, 2008 2:00 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
H.264 HD Test
We once again have the same test setup and the Vista power profile is set to Balanced. One of our favorite movies last year and one that provides some stress for playback is The Simpsons Movie. It features a video bitrate up to 40Mbps with a 5.1 DTS-MA soundtrack rated at 3960+Kbps.
Following in the footsteps of our Crank test, the GeForce 8200 chipset once again shows its strength, saving earth's resources one small step at a time. The results are a 5W and 24W advantage with the low-end CPUs, 7W and 27W improvement with the dual cores, and 8W and 28W difference with the quad cores.
No matter how good the E7200 (details coming shortly) is as a low budget 45nm dual-core CPU, the G35 chipset hampers it since H.264/VC-1 offloading is not available. We will have to wait for the next generation G45 for a fair fight between these chipsets. Of course, by that time, AMD will have the 790GX and NVIDIA will be launching the GeForce 8300 series. In the meantime, the G35 is perfectly capable as an HTPC choice when paired with the right CPU, driver set, and playback application. Just don't expect it to be the coolest running green machine on the block.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
44 Comments
View All Comments
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 nowhttp://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?