X-bit labs

Chipsets for Socket AM2 Platform: ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 and Nvidia nForce 590 SLI (page 17)

Category: Chipsets

by Ilya Gavrichenkov

[ 06/13/2006 | 10:44 AM ]

Power Consumption

When we discussed the features and design of ATI Sturgeon and ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe mainboards we pointed out that the North and South Bridges of ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 based board are equipped with simple aluminum heatsinks, while the Nvidia nForce 590 SLI based platform is equipped with a high-tech cooling system featuring heatpipes and copper heatsinks with a lot of ribs. Looks like the heat dissipation of the new ATI and Nvidia chipsets for Socket AM2 platform should differ dramatically.

Knowing the direct connection between the heat dissipation and power consumption we decided to measure the amount of consumed power by the similar systems built around different sets of core logic. We measured the total power consumption of the complete platform solution except for the monitor in several work modes.

First of all we measured the platforms power consumption in idle mode. Note that we didn’t activate Cool’n’Quiet technology during out tests.

The first results indicate that there is a difference between the two chipsets from the power consumption point of view. In idle mode Nvidia nForce 590 SLI based platform consumes 20W more power. And these 20W can definitely be assigned to the chipset, because the mainboard was the only thing different about the two platforms in question.

Now let’s check out the results of our second experiment when the CPU was fully loaded by the S&M utility.

The difference in power consumption of the two platforms is less dramatic this time: 10W.

The third experiment was carried out when the graphics subsystem was loaded to the full extent by the 3DMark06 testing suite.

In this case the power consumption difference is even more remarkable and reaches 30W.

So, we can state that Nvidia nForce 590 SLI chipset is considerably less economical than ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200. and if you are looking for the quiet and cool system, the Nvidia chipset may not be the right choice to make. ATI CrossFire Xpress 3200 based platform boasts much lower power consumption and heat dissipation.