I've posted most of this as a follow up to the SPCR review of this board in this forum :
http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/vi ... hp?t=46828
For other people to get in on the thread and start a discussion the key points are here.
The board is a direct replacement for my Gigabyte 690v which I've previously posted about in this forum. I bought the 780g from Scan.co.uk as a drop in replacement. XP didn't like that so I did a repair install which worked fine. Later that week it was announced officially at CeBIT and hybrid crossfire to be Vista only so I switch to Vista.
Power readings, the setup :
Athlon64 x2 4000 (Brisbane), Gigabyte 780G, Pioneer DVDR-110, Seasonic S12 380, WD 160gb hard drive, AMD stock cpu fan, 12v 80cm case fan on low speed. Using the integrated 780g video card on DVI.
Vista Desktop (Aero OFF) idle is 40/41 watts CNQ ON
Vista Desktop (Aero OFF) idle is 50/52 watts CNQ OFF
Vista Desktop (Aero ON) idle is 41/42 watts CNQ ON
Vista Desktop (Aero ON) idle is 50/51 watts CNQ OFF
I quote two figures for the watts as it flickers between then. Interesting Aero doesn't really add any overhead.
As mentioned Vista on power saving mode keeps setting the minimum cpu idle to 100% from 5% which is annoying.
I used Prime95 to try to max out to get a full cpu hammering power usage but I only ever hit about 70% on either cores. So I don't have a full load reading, suggestion on how to archive this are welcome.
With the Sapphire HD 3450
Vista Desktop (Aero OFF) idle is 53 watts CNQ ON
That heatsink on the 3450 is very hot even at desktop, not just in 3d stuff. 3dmark06 scored 1692.
With Aero off the system has run all evening with a hitch. With Aero on I suffered driver crashes but the desktop recovered it so I didn't have to reboot. With hyrbrid crossfire enable I suffered desktop crashes and a few instant reboots.
Some 3dmark06 scores for comparison :
690v mobo, ATI HD 2400, Cats 8.2, XP : 1373
780G mobo, IGP, Cats 8.3, XP : 1132
780G mobo, IGP + ATI HD 2400, Cats 8.3 Hybrid crossfire enabled, Vista : 2000'ish
780G mobo, ATI HD 3450, Cats 8.3, Vista : 1692
780G mobo, IGP + ATI HD 3450, Cats 8.3 Hybrid crossfire enabled, Vista : <coming soon>
Overall a great board, good 3d performance but cats 8.3 aren't stable in 3d mode.