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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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System Measurements:
VGA Test System (IGP)
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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 6850
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System Measurements: VGA Test System with
Reference AMD Radeon HD 6850
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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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29°C
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52°C
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55°C
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SB Temp
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35°C
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40°C
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44°C
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GPU Core Temp
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47°C
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51°C
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83°C
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GPU VRM Temp
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44°C
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45°C
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73°C
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GPU Fan Speed
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810 RPM
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1880 RPM
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SPL@1m
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14 dBA
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23 dBA
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System Power (AC)
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70W
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158W
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246W
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System Power (DC, est.)
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unknown
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127W
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202W
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
IGP system noise level: 13 dBA
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The stock AMD 6850 cooler does a fairly good job keeping things cool. The GPU core stabilized at 83°C, which is quite low for a modern graphics card. As it pushes exhaust out the back of the card, system temperatures remained moderate even on full load.
The system noise level was an impressive 14 dBA@1m when idle, a barely audible difference over the same system running without a video card. On load, the fan increased in speed by about 1000 RPM, generating an increase of 9 dB. It had an unappealing buzz, but the overall noise level was pretty good compared to most stock graphics cards. The fan is a little over-aggressive, in our opinion.
Cooling was very good despite the small size of the heatsink utilized by AMD; its efficiency is impressive.
Asus EAH6850 DirectCU
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System Measurements: VGA Test System with
Asus EAH6850 DirectCU
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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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30°C
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54°C
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65°C
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SB Temp
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36°C
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42°C
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52°C
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GPU Core Temp
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38°C
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40°C
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74°C
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GPU VRM Temp
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48°C
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75°C
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GPU Fan Speed
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1560 RPM
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2310 RPM
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SPL@1m
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15 dBA
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17~18 dBA
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System Power (AC)
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68W
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158W
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258W
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System Power (DC, est.)
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unknown
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127W
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211W
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
IGP system noise level: 13 dBA
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The Asus EAH6850 DirectCU is well cooled as well, though on load, system temperatures were much higher, as there is no direct escape path for the hot air radiating off the card. As a result both the nearby southbridge and CPU saw higher temperatures. The GPU was well taken care of, stabilizing at only 75°C on load; the fan could have been slowed down a bit without much risk.
From a noise perspective, the EAH6850 DirectCU is one of the quietest cards we've ever tested, generating only 15 dBA@1m when idle and 17~18 dBA@1m on load in our VGA test system. At idle, its acoustics were dominated by a quiet, but audible low frequency hum. On load, it actually sounded slightly better subjectively as the hum was masked by the broadband sound of increased air turbulence.
Comparison
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System Measurements: VGA Test System on Load
AMD/Asus HD 6850 vs. AMD HD 6870
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Measurement
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AMD Radeon HD 6850
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Asus EAH6850 DirectCU
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AMD Radeon HD 6870
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CPU Temp
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55°C
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65°C
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60°C
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SB Temp
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44°C
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52°C
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49°C
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GPU Core Temp
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83°C
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74°C
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90°C
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GPU VRM Temp
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73°C
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75°C
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81°C
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GPU Fan Speed
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1880 RPM
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2310 RPM
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2950 RPM
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SPL@1m
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23 dBA
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17~18 dBA
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34 dBA
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System Power (AC)
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246W
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258W
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336W
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System Power (DC, est.)
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202W
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211W
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274W
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Ambient temperature: 23°C
IGP system noise level: 13 dBA
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The practical difference between the two coolers boils down to GPU vs. system cooling. The DirectCU heatsink is far superior at cooling the video card, producing better GPU temperatures with lower noise levels. The reference heatsink dumps a lot of the heat outside the case resulting in better CPU and southbridge cooling.
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On load, the noise difference between the two cards is significant.
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