What Do High-End Graphics Cards Cost In Terms Of Electricity?

Maximum/Minimum Power Measurements

Determining the Comparable Values on the Test System

We started by measuring the maximum and minimum values for each graphics card in our test system, in order to improve our evaluation of the individual applications at the later stages.

Maximum Power Consumption

Minimum Power Consumption

Power Consumption for the Relevant Applications

We save this bunch of charts for the individual applications because, in most cases, the cards are on par and most differences are only marginal. The power consumption in games is significantly lower than the determined maximum energy consumption. But we want to state that none of the tested cards in the middle class were able to best any of their comparable competitors.

It was, however, interesting to see that both manufacturers put the cards at maximum clock frequencies when older 2D applications using GDI/GDI+ commands are used. This did not result in any positive effects on performance (we measured using our Tom2D tool), but indeed in negative effects on power consumption.

  • alikum
    Nvidia cards consume power like crazy
    Reply
  • damric
    I don't get it. Are they saying that a GTX 480 will cost a hard core gamer $90/year in electricity? Seems like a drop in the bucket considering my power bills are over $90/month in the winter and over $250/month in the summer. Just think of all the money the hard core gamer saves from not having a girlfriend :D
    Reply
  • scook9
    They are also neglecting the positive side effects like not needing a space heater in the winter....you recoup alot of energy right there :D
    Reply
  • porksmuggler
    ^Tell me about it, warmest room in the house right here. Turn the thermostat down, and boot the rig up.

    Typo on the enthusiast graph. calculations are correct, but it should be 13ct/kWh, not 22ct/kWh.
    Reply
  • jimslaid2
    Glad I bought the 6870 over the gtx 460 1g
    Reply
  • aznshinobi
    The fact that you mentioned a porsche. no matter what the context. I love that you mentioned it :D
    Reply
  • AMW1011
    So at worst, my GTX 480 is costing me $90 a year? Sorry if I'm not alarmed...

    Also I can't imagine having 8 hours of gaming time every day. 5 hours even seems extreme. Sometimes, you just can't game AT ALL in a day, or a week.

    Some people do have lives...
    Reply
  • nebun
    alikumNvidia cards consume power like crazywho cares....if you have the money to buy them you can pay for the electricity...it's just like SUVs, you have the money to buy them you can keep them running
    Reply
  • nebun
    AMW1011So at worst, my GTX 480 is costing me $90 a year? Sorry if I'm not alarmed...Also I can't imagine having 8 hours of gaming time every day. 5 hours even seems extreme. Sometimes, you just can't game AT ALL in a day, or a week.Some people do have lives...i run my 480 sli rig to fold almost 24/7...do i care about my bill...HELL NO
    Reply
  • Darkerson
    Very nice article! Keep it up!
    Reply