Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P - P45 at its Finest
by Gary Key on February 3, 2009 12:15 AM EST- Posted in
- Motherboards
Power Consumption
We measured "system" power consumption at the wall outlet using a Watts Up Pro power meter. We do not include the power numbers for a monitor or external speakers; however, we do install a set of headphones to the audio out jack. We also turn on all peripherals in the BIOS along with enabling all power saving features in the BIOS. Power consumption was measured at idle after 15 minutes of inactivity and under load while measuring the average power consumption of the Ranch benchmark in Far Cry 2. Vista's power management option is set to balanced performance mode and the prefetch folder is cleared for each test. Our two tests consist of the standard BIOS power savings mode and a second test using the energy saving applications provided by each supplier.
At idle with the BIOS only setup, the ASUS and MSI boards have the lowest power usage and are followed by the GIGABYTE board. Our idle numbers with the power saving numbers have MSI in the lead, something we have noticed across their DRMOS product lines. Implementing DES on the GIGABYTE board saves about 4W at idle. Our first test with the DES application on the included driver CD did not generate any power savings. We downloaded the latest version off the website and were rewarded with measurable power savings.
The load numbers favor the MSI board again with the ASUS and GIGABYTE close behind. Once we implement the power saving applications, the MSI P45 Platinum has a reduction of 6W and takes the lead again. The GIGABYTE board with DES turned actually matches the 6W reduction. The ASUS board only drops 2W with EPU6 implemented.
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NimitzHarrington - Monday, February 9, 2009 - link
Hi Gary,Excellent review. I'm glad I chose this board when I built my new system a couple of months back.
However, I have not managed to get eSata fully working on this board. When I plug in an eSata HDD, Vista picks it up but it's listed as an internal disk. Therefore, I cannot remove it from "Safely remove hardware".
I tried the latest Intel Storage Manager, but that did not help. I have had to resort to using HotSwap.
Have you come across this during your testing (or has anyone else using this MB experienced and fixed this issue)?
Thanks.
Lazlo Panaflex - Thursday, February 5, 2009 - link
An 8600 @ 5Ghz+...very nice o/c! I reckon that setup would fetch a pretty penny on Fleabay (unless Gary's using it as his main gaming rig...hehe ;)vlado08 - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - link
I expected core i7 architecture to use less power than core2 Quad in "idle" mode because it can switch off unused cores. So if I have a computer which is 24/7 in "on" state then the best power efficiency will be to use core 2 Duo. For example if it is used for downloading/uploading from internet.It seems I was wrong. Or may be it is a Vista problem failing to switch off unused cores of core i7?
jzodda - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - link
Have had it since october running my E8400@ 4.2ghz and 525 FSB 24/7This board is really a pleasure to work with once you get the hang of the various bios settings. Took awhile back then. Now there is an 1800 post thread at X-treme so info is no longer lacking on any setting.
This board is a throw back to the good old Abit days of the BH6 and boards like it. Lots of fun.
SixOfSeven - Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - link
LoneWolf15, what 4GB DDR2's are you using? Any problems setting things up?LoneWolf15 - Thursday, February 5, 2009 - link
"LoneWolf15, what 4GB DDR2's are you using? Any problems setting things up? "I apologize here. I used two 2GB modules, not two 4GB ones, and couldn't go back and re-edit.
I'm using G.Skill Pi DDR2-800 modules which work at 1.8-1.9v with 4-4-4-12 timing. They're available at the `Egg for $45-50 a set with free shipping, and they're hassle free. Almost tempting to get a second set for Windows 7 x64 when it comes out.
7Enigma - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - link
Just wanted to add (even though you didn't ask) I'm using the 2X2gig Reaper ram that has the heatpipe with a huge heatsink on top (making the ram 2-3" taller than it would normally be). There are no clearance issues at all.Matt Campbell - Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - link
Time to break out the LN2 and see how far it really goes ;)Freak Out - Tuesday, February 3, 2009 - link
I was wondering if you could post a picture of the test setup?Gary Key - Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - link
Let me get one before I tear it down today.