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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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CPU Temp
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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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22°C
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73W
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Unknown
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CPUBurn
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39°C
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144W
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115W
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Ambient temperature: 21°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level: 12 dBA@1m
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Note: In our hemi-anechoic chamber, our VGA test bed now
measures 12 dBA@1m. Ambient noise is only 11 dBA.
ATI RADEON HD 4830:
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VGA Test Bed: ATI Radeon HD 4830
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System
State
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Fan Speed
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System SPL@1m
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GPU
Temp
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CPU
Temp
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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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~1850 RPM
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14 dBA
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55°C
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24°C
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96W
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73W
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CPUBurn
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~1850 RPM
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14 dBA
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57°C
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44°C
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165W
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133W
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CPUBurn + ATITool
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5400-
5600 RPM
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20-21 dBA
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85°C
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46°C
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233-
238W
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191-
195W
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CPUBurn + FurMark
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5400-
5600 RPM
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20-21 dBA
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85°C
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47°C
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239-
246W
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196-
202W
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Ambient temperature: 21°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
System noise level (minus graphics card): 12 dBA@1m
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At idle, the fan spun at only 1850 RPM according to GPU-Z. The GPU temperature
was an acceptable 55°C and system AC power draw was modest. When the system
was stressed with both CPUBurn and ATITool, the GPU temperature gradually increased,
until at 75°C, the fan speed finally began to ramp up. After
twenty minutes, the fan speed reached between 5400 and 5600 RPM — it vacillated
throughout this range continuously while the GPU temperature stayed at about
85°C. Running FurMark in place of ATITool squeezed a few extra watts out
of the system's power draw. The system reached a peak power consumption of 246W,
a stark contrast to the extremely frugal HD
4670 we tested last.
At idle the SPL was 14 dBA@1m which is only 2 dBA higher
than the test system without a discrete video card installed. While the reading was quite
low, the fan emitted a slightly high pitched whine, but this could only be heard
when the card was exposed. Once the side panel of our P182 case was in place,
it all but vanished. At distances of half a meter or more, it was basically
inaudible. At load, the fan was noticeably louder and exhibited undesirable
tonality. In addition, the fan would not settle at a single speed, creating
a droning effect as it shifted between 5400 and 5600 RPM. It was enough change
that it was recorded by our instruments — the noise kept cycling continuously between 20 and 21 dBA.
The measured level may seem low, yet subjectively, it's plainly audible from a meter away. This cyclical variability is more annoying than the overall noise level itself. We found
no way of controlling the fan manually — neither through ATITool or RivaTuner.
It should also be noted that the coil whine that plagues so many modern graphics
cards also affects the HD 4830. It is especially evident when running ATITool's
artifact tester and 3DView.
Sensors according to GPU-Z during CPUBurn + Furmark.
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