ASUS EPU not supported on newer graphics cards?

[mrmonkeyshines]

Hi, I've tried looking this up and can't find anything definitive so I thought I'd ask here. I'm looking at a graphics card upgrade and I'm trying to decide between higher-end older Radeon cards (6950, 6870), and newer cards that are a step down (7850, 7770). I've looked at the performance #'s and similar posts here, but the complication is that I have an ASUS P7P55D-E PRO motherboard, which supports their EPU energy-saving system (http://event.asus.com/epu/), which can manage graphics card power consumption among other components.

The problem is, when you look at the list of cards that support EPU, it ends at the 6XXX series (http://event.asus.com/mb/EPU_VGA/). I realize that one of the appeals of the 7XXX series is lower power draw/cooler operation, but I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off saving money and getting a 6xxx series ASUS card that supports EPU rather than a 7xxx series if they don't. Of course, if I pony up for a 7 series card, I'd also probably go with ASUS and try to get even lower power consumption if the 7xxx supports EPU. Otherwise, I'd just buy the card from the vendor that's cheapest/best.

I was hoping someone might know if they're dropping the EPU idea or just haven't updated the supported card list, or would have some thoughts on how I should go.
Thanks!

 

[rolli59]

My guess is that Asus has not updated the list to include the new 7xxx cards.

 

[mrmonkeyshines]

Was hoping for something a little more definitive before I commit. I tried the ASUS live chat and never got connected to a person.

 

[mrmonkeyshines]

I spoke to ASUS tech support and they apparently stopped development on EPU utility several years ago, so the 6XXX series is the last to support it.

The end result is that if you have an ASUS motherboard that has EPU support (I have a P7P55D-E PRO) and are trying to decide between cards like I am, the 6xxx series might actually be the cooler/less power hungry card in general if you're willing to get the ASUS version, just because your MB can manage the power utilization on the card, unlike the 7xxx series.