Conclusion

Two years ago top-of-the-range graphics cards from ATI Technologies consumed slightly less compared to the highest performing graphics boards developed by Nvidia Corp. This time the roles have changed: graphics cards based on the expensive GeForce graphics chips consume less than competing Radeon products.

In the performance-mainstream, mainstream and entry-level segments graphics cards based on ATI and Nvidia visual processing units consume about the same amount of power depending on their performance. There is nothing outstanding in those results, apart from very low power consumption of S3 Graphics’ products, which offer performance similar to other entry-level graphics cards tested.

Choosing the graphics card is a complex process which involves analysis of multiply factors, including performance in your favourite applications, anticipated speed in next-generation games and price. Power consumption is a yet another benchmark that may be important for you, or may be not. Everyone decides based on own understanding of the things.