Power and Efficiency
iBuyPower gets four GPUs of graphics power through two physical cards, while Maingear’s three graphics processors are divided across three boards. Which system consumes more power?
Under a simulated full GPU load, Maingear's system consumes 16% more power than iBuyPower's system does. Higher idle power leads to iBuyPower’s 4% higher wattage under the CPU load of eight Prime95 x64 threads.
Maingear’s 14% overall performance advantage in games falls short of its 16% greater energy use for a 2% lower efficiency rating. Also remember that many of Maingear’s wins came at lower resolutions that $4,200 system buyers won’t want to use.
Maingear’s approximate 2% performance lead in encoding and productivity puts its efficiency well above iBuyPower in non-gaming applications.