ASUS Ares ATI Radeon 5870 X2 Graphics Card Power Consumption Test Linus Tech Tips

This video provides a brief power consumption snapshot of the ASUS ARES ATI Radeon 5870 X2 graphics card during a quick benchmarking session. Linus Tech Tips sets up a test with a dual-GPU card installed and runs 3D Mark Vantage at the stock clock to gauge real-world wall power draw. He notes the system is powered by a supply rated around 80 percent efficiency, which influences the actual power drawn from the wall. Throughout the test, the power draw fluctuates with load: the reviewer observes readings near 500 watts at peak under heavy load, with the card itself pulling more as the benchmark taxes both GPUs. When the graphics card is not under heavy load, the draw sits closer to about 300 watts, and during active rendering the power consumption can reach roughly 440 watts for the card alone, though overall wall consumption may approach the higher figure under certain conditions. The video emphasizes that with an overclocked six-core processor and a dual Radeon 5870 X2 configuration, the power usage is significant but manageable for a capable 80 Plus-certified power supply, suggesting that a robust PSU is a key consideration for this hardware setup. In summary, the test demonstrates that this high-end dual-GPU card can draw substantial power, peaking near half a kilowatt from the wall under load, while idling at a much lower level, illustrating the impact of GPU load on total system power consumption.

Topics · technology · hardware · power_management