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TEST RESULTS
BASELINE, with Integrated Graphics: First, here are the results of
our baseline results of the system with just its integrated graphics, without
a discrete video card. We'll also need the power consumption reading during
CPUBurn to estimate the actual power draw of discrete card later.
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VGA Test Bed: Baseline Results
(no discrete graphics card installed)
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System
State
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System Power
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AC
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DC (Est.)
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Idle
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75W
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Unknown
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CPUBurn
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151W
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121W
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Ambient temperature: 22°C
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PowerColor Radeon HD 5850 1GB:
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VGA Test Bed: PowerColor Radeon HD 5850 1GB
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System
State
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Fan Speed
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SPL
@1m
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Temps
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System Power
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GPU
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VRM
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AC
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DC
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Idle
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1160 rpm
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18 dBA
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40°C
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36°C
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99W
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77W
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CPUBurn
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44°C
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38°C
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175W
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142W
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CPUBurn + ATITool
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1570 rpm
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19 dBA
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67°C
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53°C
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243W
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199W
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CPUBurn + FurMark
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2120 rpm
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24 dBA
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83°C
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82°C
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309W
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253W
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Ambient temperature: 22°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level: 12 dBA
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The reference cooler kept the graphics card very well cooled by modern standards,
with the GPU and VRM temperatures well below 50°C when idle and only slightly
above 80°C at full load.
Noise
The GPU exhibited some of the screeching associated with coil whine particularly
during ATITool's 3DView, but it was not as sharp as the HD 4000 series.
The noise generated by the fan when idle was measured at 18 dBA, low enough
for most users. Still, it's a lot more tolerable placed under a desk rather
than atop it — we'd recommend an aftermarket cooler for the latter scenario.
The fan had some tonal properties, audible in the form of a low-pitched hum,
but it was well muffled by our case's side panel. When placed on load, the fan's
higher speed generated enough turbulence to mask the hum, blending the overall
noise into smoother broadband profile.
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Our VGA test system idle with the PowerColor Radeon HD 5850 installed.
Note the sharp tonal peak between at ~240Hz.
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At load.
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Noise & Cooling Comparison
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Card
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Idle
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Load
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SPL @1m
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GPU Temp
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SPL @1m
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GPU Temp
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ATI HD 4870
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13 dBA
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82°C
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20 dBA
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91°C
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HIS HD 4890 Turbo
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15 dBA
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66°C
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26 dBA
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80°C
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PowerColor HD 5850
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18 dBA
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40°C
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24 dBA
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83°C
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Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level: 12 dBA
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When we compare the SPL and GPU temperature measurements with that of the HD
4870 and HD 4890, it seems that the HD 5850's fan is much more aggressive when
idle. In most systems the GPU is dormant during the majority of operation so
a reduction in idle noise would be welcome. The HD 5850 certainly has plenty
of headroom as 40°C is extremely low for a high-end graphics card. We would
gladly sacrifice 20°C or more in exchange for a reduction in fan speed.
On load, the fan behavior is more sensible, producing 2 dBA less than the HD
4890 while keeping the GPU temperature within a few degrees, which is surprising,
given the smaller exhaust vent compared to the 4800 series cards. Perhaps those
small vents on the top help out after all.
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