Graphics power consumption

[kappa_800]

Hello,
I have Dell Dimension E520, with Core 2 (E4300 @ 1.80GHz), 2GB RAM, running 32-bit Windows 7 Pro . I also dual boot Linux (Slackware 13.1 x86_64). I don't play games. I have two options for graphics, either to use ob-board intel 965G chipset or nvidia 8600GT. I can imagine if I use built-in option it would put more load on CPU. Now my question is which would consume less power? I can go with nvidia 8600GT if power consumption is not much. Will switching back to Vista basic or XP will make difference?

 

[jryan388]

Why would it put more load on the CPU? The 8600gt will doubtless use more power.

 

[kappa_800]

Thanks for your reply.

When I was playing some video file in VLC, I noticed that when I move my mouse pointer consantly randomly then CPU consumption in the Task Manager's Perfomance tab goes up a bit.

I only browse the net & watch videos on this pc. Is there a way I can find out how much power is being consumed in each case (on-board & nvidia card)??

 

[adampcman]

Power consumption of GF 8600 GT is only 43 Watts and it has better performance than your integrated Intel GMA X3000. There is no way to know for sure how much power GMA X3000 consumes because it's integrated (build) in your system/main board.

I strongly suggest to use GF 8600 GT!

 

[kappa_800]

Can I ask why should I use 8600GT rather than integrated graphics?

 

[iam2thecrowe]

if your running windows 7, using the Aero interface, the 8600gt would give the whole system a speedier feel. You can also use it to play older games that the onboard gfx is not capable of. It also hardware accellerates Adobe Flash for better flash performance and better video decoding. If i had it lying around i would use it, the extra power consumption will not be noticeable, a few more watts for desktop apps and maybe 40watts under full load while playing a game......

 

[ko888]

There is no way to know for sure how much power GMA X3000 consumes because it's integrated (build) in your system/main board.

Looking at Intel's datasheet for the Intel 965 Express Chipset Family I calculate 26 Watts for the Integrated Gfx portion.

 

[adampcman]

Looking at Intel's datasheet for the Intel 965 Express Chipset Family I calculate 26 Watts for the Integrated Gfx portion.

Yea, but still it is just guess. I could say that to him also, but it's not accurate... I personally think it is less. Below 20 Watts...

 

[kappa_800]

Thanks all for you valuable suggestions. 43 W for 8600GT and lets say 20 W for 965G.. difference is not that much (23W, may be less). Am I right in thinking that nvidia would take 43W only when playing 3D games and would take less than that when doing normal windows operations? I can even give up Aero and just use windows classic theme. To be honest I don't really play games on my PC at all. Only have Tomb Raider: Anniversary which by the way came with Xpertvision nvidia 8600GT pack.

Anyway, thanks for your comments.

 

[adampcman]

Yes, 43 W is maximum card consumption (in games) so in normal work it is much less then 43 W.