R9 270X how to lower idle power usage?

[ult_nrg]

I just bought a new Gigabyte Windforce 270X card (waiting for it to be shipped!) and I was just wondering if there is a way to lower the idle power usage?

It will essentially be running in a computer that is on 24/7. Only really want it to go to normal speeds once I launch a game...for normal stuff (Internet/Office/sitting there idling) is there an easy way to lower the power consumption? Somehow downclock the card until I launch a game?

Thanks!

 

[WhiteLotus]

I'm fairly confident in saying that most gfx cards do that automatically now when in 2D applications, then ramp up the clocks when in 3D clocks

 

[AsRock]

Idle power usage will be low to start with. I am using a 290X and while idle the comp runs 70w-76 when typing and 63w when it's doing nothing at all lol.

I don't see why yours would not be would be to far from most others.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/R9_270X_Gaming/22.html

Other efficient ways would be buying the right mobo and PSU when you got your system.


If you want to limit the cards max speed then some thing like Afterburner will do that.. Although keeping vsync on will limit the cards max speed too.

 

[ult_nrg]

The computer is super power efficient, uses ~28W in idle (onboard graphics)

I've read different reviews in diff places...some say the card uses <10W idle, some are as high as 20W.

The only comparison I have is my old GTX 560 - the TPU review said around 15W, mine used about 25W. I guess I'll just wait until the GPU arrives and see how much it uses

But yeah was just wondering if there was any 'easier' way to lower the usage. I mean I know even 15-20W isn't too high, but if I can get it lower (by reducing clocks even more than what they are already in "2D mode' or something then I'd like to do it!

 

[erocker]

7-11 watts idle for several versions of the card. That's less than some fans. No need to lower the power on the card. Perhaps there's somewhere else in the PC where you could save power.

 

[Aquinus]

Is it always on but not always being used? Why not put the computer to sleep when you're not using it? That way you'll use something like 8 watts instead.

 

[Devon68]

I just bought a new Gigabyte Windforce 270X card (waiting for it to be shipped!) and I was just wondering if there is a way to lower the idle power usage?

It will essentially be running in a computer that is on 24/7. Only really want it to go to normal speeds once I launch a game...for normal stuff (Internet/Office/sitting there idling) is there an easy way to lower the power consumption? Somehow downclock the card until I launch a game?

Thanks!

I think you should read this:
AMD ZeroCore
AMD ZeroCore technology tries to save as much power as possible during times when you aren’t demanding peak performance from your graphics card.
ZeroCore manages to lower power usage when your GPU goes into what’s known as long idle mode. Long idle mode is when you leave your PC on, but turn your screen off and walk away.
Many gamers leave their PC on permanently (the polar bears will find you), while some leave it running overnight to download Linux distros while they sleep.
Such users will benefit from ZeroCore, which completely lowers GPU power consumption during long idle mode. This gets the idle power down to under 3W; down from 24W in previous technologies.
For the gamers who leave their monitors on but with a static scene in the background, such as the Windows desktop, AMD have managed to reduce power down to 15W.
The GPUs clock speed is reduced to 27MHz, and the contents of the frame buffer are compressed to save space while the DRAM chips go into “storage mode”.
ZeroCore is also beneficial when running a CrossFireX system. While the user is working in low-power applications such as internet browsing or word processing, only the primary GPU is running at full power. The secondary graphics cards are all changed to long idle mode, reducing power consumption until you need to start more intensive tasks.

 

[ult_nrg]

7-11 watts idle for several versions of the card. That's less than some fans. No need to lower the power on the card. Perhaps there's somewhere else in the PC where you could save power.

Got it today and installed it. Using about 18-20W extra in idle.

Is it always on but not always being used? Why not put the computer to sleep when you're not using it? That way you'll use something like 8 watts instead.

Computer is running the server VM in the background

I think you should read this:
AMD ZeroCore
AMD ZeroCore technology tries to save as much power as possible during times when you aren’t demanding peak performance from your graphics card.
ZeroCore manages to lower power usage when your GPU goes into what’s known as long idle mode. Long idle mode is when you leave your PC on, but turn your screen off and walk away.
Many gamers leave their PC on permanently (the polar bears will find you), while some leave it running overnight to download Linux distros while they sleep.
Such users will benefit from ZeroCore, which completely lowers GPU power consumption during long idle mode. This gets the idle power down to under 3W; down from 24W in previous technologies.
For the gamers who leave their monitors on but with a static scene in the background, such as the Windows desktop, AMD have managed to reduce power down to 15W.
The GPUs clock speed is reduced to 27MHz, and the contents of the frame buffer are compressed to save space while the DRAM chips go into “storage mode”.
ZeroCore is also beneficial when running a CrossFireX system. While the user is working in low-power applications such as internet browsing or word processing, only the primary GPU is running at full power. The secondary graphics cards are all changed to long idle mode, reducing power consumption until you need to start more intensive tasks.

Wow that sounds cool. Will leave it on tonight and see what power usage is like in the morning (do turn the monitor off )

 

[kn00tcn]

ya, now we have 'idle' & 'long idle' power

what i would like to see is to control the long idle, turn it on at will... maybe zerocore is based on the windows setting for monitor sleep or there's a reg key somewhere?

 

[ult_nrg]

I think you should read this:
AMD ZeroCore
AMD ZeroCore technology tries to save as much power as possible during times when you aren’t demanding peak performance from your graphics card.
ZeroCore manages to lower power usage when your GPU goes into what’s known as long idle mode. Long idle mode is when you leave your PC on, but turn your screen off and walk away.
Many gamers leave their PC on permanently (the polar bears will find you), while some leave it running overnight to download Linux distros while they sleep.
Such users will benefit from ZeroCore, which completely lowers GPU power consumption during long idle mode. This gets the idle power down to under 3W; down from 24W in previous technologies.
For the gamers who leave their monitors on but with a static scene in the background, such as the Windows desktop, AMD have managed to reduce power down to 15W.
The GPUs clock speed is reduced to 27MHz, and the contents of the frame buffer are compressed to save space while the DRAM chips go into “storage mode”.
ZeroCore is also beneficial when running a CrossFireX system. While the user is working in low-power applications such as internet browsing or word processing, only the primary GPU is running at full power. The secondary graphics cards are all changed to long idle mode, reducing power consumption until you need to start more intensive tasks.

Ah brilliant, works like a charm. Once monitor turns off, the card runs at 2W

ya, now we have 'idle' & 'long idle' power

what i would like to see is to control the long idle, turn it on at will... maybe zerocore is based on the windows setting for monitor sleep or there's a reg key somewhere?

Zerocore turns itself on based on the windows power setting "Turn off the display". I set it to 1 min so even if I just walk away for 10minutes it will kick in

 

[kn00tcn]

Zerocore turns itself on based on the windows power setting "Turn off the display". I set it to 1 min so even if I just walk away for 10minutes it will kick in

that's just what i wanted to hear, now if only the prices of the cards drop

 

[The Von Matrices]

Not knowing your system configuration, be aware that if you are using more than one DVI/HDMI display then AMD graphics cards will never enter their lowest power states at idle.