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TEST RESULTS
Our test system has been upgraded since our last video card review, now featuring an Athlon II X3 processor and a Scythe Ninja 3 heatsink. Our previous Pentium D based system seemed out of date and the CPU temperature sensor was never very accurate (it would go insane after being placed on load for an extended period of time). The 785G board we chose also gives us southbridge temperature readings. These changes give us a more realistic testing environment and allows us to more accurately monitor the effect a graphics card/cooler has on CPU/system temperatures.
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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System Measurements
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Measurement
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Idle
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CPUBurn
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CPU Temp
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33°C
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51°C
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SB Temp
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33°C
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41°C
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SPL@1m
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13 dBA
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System Power (AC)
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52W
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140W
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System Power (DC, est.)
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unknown
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111W
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Ambient temperature: 22°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
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AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB:
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System Measurements
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Measurement
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Idle
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CPUBurn
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CPUBurn + FurMark
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CPU Temp
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32°C
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54°C
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60°C
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SB Temp
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37°C
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43°C
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49°C
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GPU Core Temp
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44°C
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46°C
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90°C
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GPU VRM Temp
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40°C
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45°C
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81°C
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GPU Fan Speed
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1060 RPM
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1210 RPM
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2950 RPM
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SPL@1m
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15 dBA
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15~16 dBA
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34 dBA
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System Power (AC)
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71W
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161W
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336W
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System Power (DC, est.)
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unknown
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129W
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274W
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level: 13 dBA
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At idle, the reference HD 6870 is impressive. Our test system measured only 15 dBA@1m (2 dB higher than the same machine running on integrated graphics) and sounded quite smooth with no hint of whine, though we could hear a slight rattle at close proximity with the side panel removed. Temperatures were fairly low all around, and the power draw at the wall was just 71W. With CPUBurn stressing all the CPU cores, the southbridge temperature was 2°C hotter than when it was running on integrated graphics, and GPU temperatures increased only slightly compared to idle.
When FurMark was added the equation, GPU temperatures skyrocketed and the GPU fan speed followed suit, eventually settling at just under 3000 RPM resulting in a measured noise level of 34 dBA@1m. This is quite loud by out standards. On the positive side, the character of the noise was generally broadband, sounding similar to white noise or static. The VRM temperature on the card measured 81°C which is very low compared to previous cards we've tested, and the GPU core stabilized at 90°C — acceptable, but a bit on the high side. The extra heat generated by the card also put more thermal stress on the rest of the system, heating up both the southbridge and CPU by an additional 6°C.
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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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66°C
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22 dBA
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87°C
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HIS HD 4890 Turbo
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16 dBA
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61°C
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30~31 dBA
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83°C
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HIS HD 5870 Turbo
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18 dBA
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40°C
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34 dBA
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88°C
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AMD HD 6870
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15 dBA
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45°C
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34 dBA
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90°C
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level: 13 dBA
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The 6870's reference cooler was noticeably quieter compared to previous cards we've tested. On load however, the fan had to work like a dog, bringing the overall noise level well past 30 dBA@1m whilst keeping the GPU temperature at a balmy 90°C. Like the HIS 4890 and 5870, the 6870 is a prime candidate for improved cooling with an aftermarket hetainsk/fan.
BIOS Fan Settings
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BIOS fan control settings.
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Fan speed/temperature curve.
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BIOS level fan control keeps the fan at the minimum allowed speed (22%) until the GPU core temperature hits 55°C at which point the fan speed increases linearly topping out at 102°C. For more customized control, we found that MSI's Afterburner utility works well with the 6870, though we don't think running the fan any slower at load is advisable.
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