Measuring Energy Efficiency
Energy
efficient computers are a good thing, so it helps to know how power efficient,
or power hungry different parts of a computer are when stressed with different
tasks. Since it is very difficult to isolate a videocard or CPU and measure
power draw separately, PCSTATS measures total system power draw with the aid of
an Extech 380803 AC Power Analyzer and A-PFC compliant PC Power and Cooling 750W power supply. The meter is
placed between the 120V AC outlet and the PC power supply. By stressing the test
platform's graphics solution or processor, it's then possible to measure power
draw relative to the PC at an idle state.
The test
system is measured at Idle (Windows desktop), Graphics Loaded (3Dmark06) and CPU
Loaded (Prime 95) states.
|
Total System Power Draw
 Gigabyte
GA-P55-UD3R |
|
Processor & Graphics
Solution |
Idle
|
CPU
Loaded |
|
Intel Core i5
750
nVidia Geforce GTS250
(Discrete Graphics)
|
117W |
169W |
|
(At desktop) |
(via
Prime95) | |
Under load the GA-P55-UD3R motherboard fits well within
Intel's recommendation of a 400W or greater power supply to run a Core i5
processor. With a videocard under load expect power consumption to reach above
the 200W level.
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