New generation HTPC VGA card - ATI Radeon HD 5570 OC Review

The Radeon HD 5XX0 series is the latest generation of all ATI’s product lines,
the main features of which are using more 3D technology and more advanced process of the chips.
Plus, the product roadmaps of ATI and AMD are quite similar.
The products are all built either with higher C/P rates or with variety of choices for users to make the purchase by their budget easily.
There are several kinds of product lines on the PC market: 5900 / 5800 / 5700 / 5600 / 5500 / 5400,
which brought ATI new series VGA card a very good comment from the market.

I once shared an article about ATI Radeon HD “4670” at the end of 2008,
and it turned out that based on the C/P rate, the model was very popular on the market.
We can see that from the pricing and position of the product, the new generation ATI Radeon “5570” looks like the previous one “4670”,
and also seems “5570” is going to take over the lower cost level of VGA from “4670”.
The particulars of the “5570” are including supporting updated Direct X 11, ATI Eyefinity multi-screen technology and ATI Stream technology.

First, let’s take a look at the externals of ATI Radeon HD 5570, which is built with a smaller short-card design,
means which can be modified with low-profile short bracket, then put into smaller size PC to increase the 3D performance,
although one D-Sub connector could be missing.




From the rear, we can see that there is a metal bracket to hold the heat-spreader on the front side by 4 screws on the rear.


Built-in GDDR3, there are total 8 pcs. of Samsung memory chips on the both sides of the PCB. Frequency is 900Mhz, means it should be DDR3 / 1800.
The total capacity is 1024MB, it should be enough to support most of the usage in any kinds of conditions.



The heat-spreader is so quite during the operation, no noises, copper made looks very pretty.



From the left side, we can see all components “5570” is using, and also with the very dense circuit design.
ATI has a very good standard in using the materials & components from the generic PCB design.
Since AND & ATI were combined several years ago, we can find AMD brand name on ATI products nowadays.



“5570” has built-in D-SUB, DVI & HDMI three different kinds of output connectors.


We can see the ATI “5570” chipset is MADE IN TAIWAN after we removed the heat-spreader.


The heat-spreader is designed with a large copper base to use for heat spreading, and the quality of the thermal paste also looks very good.


The main board I am using for testing is ASROCK 890GX Extreme3, the mean feature is the “True 333 function”,
USB3.0 / SATA 3.0 & E-SATA 3 can be performed at x16 full speed.


In the early stage, the ASROCK 890GX main board is one of the few models which can break out from the limitation of supporting multi-core CPU of the AMD SB850.


South bridge chipset is AMD latest model SB850, which supports 6 x SATA3 devices, including RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 & RAID 5.



The North Bridge chipset is AMD 890GX chipset, which is integrated with AMD Radeon HD 4290 VGA chipset.


CPU is designed with V8 + 2 Phase, supports the highest 140W CPU which makes the stability of the entire system much better.


Testing Platform
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition
MB: ASROCK 890GX Extreme3
DRAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT CMD4GX3M2B1600C7
VGA: ATI Radeon HD 5570
HD: CORSAIR CMFSSD-128GBG2D
POWER: be quiet! power4 DELUXE 530W
Cooler: Thermaltake BigTyp14Pro
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


CPU: 222 X 18 => 3996MHz
DRAM: 1776 CL8 8-8-24 1T

GPU Default 650MHz/900MHz

CINEBENCH R11.5
OpenGL => 36.95 fps
CPU => 4.61 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.14 pts


3DMARK2006 => 8481


3DMark Vantage => P4453
CPU SCORE => 13443
GPU SCORE => 3641


GPU OC 745MHz/1133MHz

CINEBENCH R11.5
OpenGL => 44.52 fps
CPU => 4.59 pts
CPU(Single Core) => 1.15 pts


3DMARK2006 => 10007


3DMark Vantage => P5363
CPU SCORE => 13456
GPU SCORE => 4467


The performance of “5570” shows quite good in the stable over clocking range, the over clocking efficiency increases a lot compare with normal.
With 3DMARK2006 & 3DMARK VANTAGE testing programs, the efficiency increase 20% up by 3D games.

GPU Default 650MHz/900MHz

StreetFighter IV Benchmark
1280 X 720 => 110.18FPS


DEVIL MAY CRY4
1280 X 1024 => 94.33/81.35/120.46/67.27 fps


FINAL FANTASY XIV
1920 X 1080 => 2051


GPU OC 745MHz/1133MHz

StreetFighter IV Benchmark
1280 X 720 => 131.18FPS


DEVIL MAY CRY4
1280 X 1024 => 113.98/99.90/145.02/79.52 fps


FINAL FANTASY XIV
1920 X 1080 => 2420


The Radeon HD 5570 has good testing results with the games above, which operates very smoothly even if using the 1920 X 1200 screen resolution.
But if users adjust the 3D effects too high, that might cause a little bit lag in some games,
by this situation, users might need some higher grade VGA cards to work it out.
For the lower-cost level VGA Card, the performance of “5570” is quite well among the 3D effects.

Power Consumption
GPU Default 650MHz/900MHz
System Standby - 102W


GPU Full speed - 151W


GPU OC 745MHz/1133MHz
System Standby - 102W


GPU Full speed - 169W


The default & over clocking settings all have no additional power consumption in standby, the entire PC keeps at around 102W.
When GPU full speed , the over clocking might increase around 18W power consumption, but the efficiency also increases around 20% more,
so the range increased of the power consumption when over clocked  is also quite reasonable & acceptable.

Thermal Testing
GPU Default 650MHz/900MHz
System Standby - 50.5


GPU Full speed - 61.0


GPU OC 745MHz/1133MHz
System Standby - 51.5


GPU Full speed - 64.0


The ambient temperature is at 33 degree, no mater with over clocking or with default settings,
the standby temperature shows stable, and it just increases 3 degree when over clocked.
So it should have some help a lot by using 40nm process chipsets to control the thermal for “5570”

The last, it is the one of the hottest 3D games at the moment - StarCraft II : Wings of Liberty

Setting page
GPU Default 650MHz/900MHz
Default - 49


High level settings - 40


GPU OC 745MHz/1133MHz
Default - 62


High level settings - 47


Even we keep the StarCraft II resolution at 1920 X 1200, there is still 30/fps smooth performance,
we recommended not to adjust the 3D effects too high, otherwise it might cause a little bit lag during the game.
But in the high resolution with StarCrafe II, which can still be qualified with the high loading of StarCraft II,
that means the 3D performance of “5570” is still higher than standard.

Latest be quiet! Straight Power E7 600W 80+ Bronze Series Review

E7 version of be quiet! Straight Power series is the latest version launched by BQT.
The models from earlier E7 version are 480W, 580W and 680W.
These 3 models are all cable management (CM version) power supplies and surely their prices are a bit higher because of the relatively costly CM design.

Straight Power also has its non-CM version in the market, including 500 and 600W. In terms of selling prices in the market,
their prices are surely a few hundred bucks lower than that of E7 CM version.
The focus of new E7 version launched this time is on 80+ Bronze Certification and the SilentWings FDB fan integrated.
This new series not only is compliant to Rev. 5.0 of Energy Star and the power consumption needed in standby mode is less than 0.5W.
As for its cosmetic part, the point lies in its brand new style.
The case used this time is quite different from be quiet! typical image in our mind. We’ll introduce more of the case in the following section.

Here is our star, Straight Power E7 600W.
The color box design of E7 version, with less different color combinations, looks more elegant.


Contents
Multi-Language User Manual, Cable Ties, Screws, Power Cord.


Straight Power E7 600W Dimensions: 160mm X 150mm X 86mm
The coating is “finger-print resistant”, leaving the case a neat touch.


The titanium gray coating used this time makes this E7 version quite different from the black case we normally see in be quiet! power supply cases.


The honeycomb ventilation holes in the back side, commonly seen design.
Active PFC, 110~240Vac



The symmetric fan guard is in Jazz-Black. Just like what I’ve said before, it looks really like BBQ grill. However, it still looks quite stylish.
12cm FDB Fan: MTBF/300K hrs, 17dBA


The model name of Straight Power E7 600W is "BQT E7-600W"
+12V*4 (45A in total), reaching 540W at most.


3 rows of honeycomb ventilation holes right beside cables, quite helpful in enhancing the heat ventilation mechanism.


Output Cables
1 X 20+4 Pin ATX
1 X 12V P8
1 X 12V P4
1 X 6 Pin VGA
2 X 6+2 Pin VGA
4 X HDD
6 X SATA
1 X FDD





M/B: ASROCK X58 Extreme3, which is the most advanced PC platform among Intel platforms.


Featuring true 333 function, which allows USB 3.0, SATA 3.0 & E-SATA3 to operate at full speed (X16).


Test Platform
CPU: Intel Core i7-930
MB: ASROCK X58 Extreme3
DRAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR-GT CMG6GX3M3A2000C8
VGA: GIGABYTE GTX260 OC SLI
HD: CORSAIR CMFSSD-128GBG2D RAID 0
POWER: be quiet! Straight Power E7 600W
Cooler: Mega Shadow Deluxe Edition
OS: Windows7 Ultimate 64bit


OS Default Values:
CPU 200 X 21 => 4200MHz
DARM DDR3 1600 CL6 6-6-18 1T


OCCT V3.1.0
In POWER SUPPLY Mode


What listed above is the spec of the platform used in the performance review.
In order to demonstrate the power consumption happens during the test, the consumption will be measured by “Power Angle”.

In OS Desktop window - 222~223W


APFC: PF - 0.97~0.98


Running the Power Supply test items in OCCT
i7-930 OC 4.2GHz, real 4-core along with 4-core HT full-loading simulation and GTX260 SLI 2WAY - 770~811W。


APFC: PF - 0.99


The data obtained through Power Angle is only for reference due to its lack of extreme accuracy.
GTX 260 SLI is used for the review in order to reach the utmost 3D efficiency.
Also, while at full loading, the CPU could reach power consumption as high as up to 811W;
though it was only charged by 110V, still it has reached a level much higher than 600W loading.

OCCT Test Result
CPU Temp. Fluctuation


System Temp. Fluctuation


CPU Voltage Fluctuation
While it’s in standby mode, the voltage stays at around 1.38V, and while the CPU is running at full speed, it stays between 1.36~1.37V.
The voltage fluctuation range of CPU is majorly dominated by the voltage features of M/B.


3.3V
The highest point measured is 3.26V and during the test, it majorly fluctuates between 3.20~3.22V, making the fluctuation ratio around 1.84%.


5V
Falling at the range of 4.93~4.99V; the fluctuation ratio is around 1.20%


12V
The highest point measured is 11.92V and during the test, it majorly fluctuates between 11.19~11.43V, making the fluctuation ratio around 6.12%.


According to the test data released in 80Plus website (at 115V):
The power conversion efficiency of E7 600W is 83.01% and in 80Plus website,
it shows that the actual power converted from 720.20W is 597.86W.
During my test, the peak wattage, 811W, was converted into an effective power of 673.21W (at least 12% higher than the nominal wattage, 600W).
The fluctuation rates of Straight Power E7 600W respectively at 3.3V and 12V are both around 1.9%, making it quite a good performance.
12Vstarts to fluctuate violently after OCCT starts to run at full speed. The fluctuation rate is roughly around 6.12%.  
In overloading situation, 12V fluctuated bigger.

The items here are measured by a more accurate meter.
In standby mode:
5V is measured at 5.06V, higher than the 4.99V measured by the M/B.


OCCT running at full speed:
When the voltage range is around 5.12V and OCCT is running at full speed, the voltage measured is higher than those measured in standby mode.


In standby mode:
12V is measured as 11.96V, which is a bit higher than the 11.92V measured by M/B.


OCCT running at full speed:
When the voltage is around 11.67V and OCCT is running at full speed, the voltage measured is 0.29V lower than that measured in standby mode.


Here is the status of 12V when the system is running at full loading
When the system loading is at 600~700W, the voltage displayed by Power Angle is 11.72~11.75V,
when the loading is at 700~800W, the voltage displayed is 11.70~11.72V and when the loading is above
800W, the voltage displayed is 11.67~11.70V.
Based on the data mentioned above, we could realize the 12V performance of E7 600W is still quite stable.

The performance of 5V & 12V are much better than the fluctuation result measured by OCCT along with M/B.
It’s particularly clear while the fluctuation rate of 12V in OCCT is 6.12%, the rate measured by meter is only 2.42%.

Conclusion:
Advantages
1. Artistic color box design of the new E7 version of Straight Power
2. Unique case coating and fan guard design
3. Certified by 80Plus Bronze & Active PFC
4. 100% Japanese capacitors & SilentWings FDB Fan integrated (only 17dBA)
5. 5-year guarantee provided, brand new PSU replacement for RMA within540 days, free RMA receiving/delivery for RMA within 3 years

Disadvantages
1. It would be much better if PCI-E 6 pin could be extended to 4pcs
2. The design would be much better if 12V could be changed to only 1 rail.



Efficiency    ★★★★★★★★★☆
Material used ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Spec.        ★★★★★★★★☆☆
Appearance   ★★★★★★★★★☆
C/P Ratio    ★★★★★★★★☆☆

You could still find the advantages of new E7 version in the non-CM series of Straight Power,
such as the honeycomb ventilation holes on both sides, sharp case edges removed to better protect the safety of users.
Of course, the long MTBF and low-noise level of the exclusive SilentWings FDB fan integrated also serve as great advantages

Actually, I haven’t conducted any tests for the part of the wattage higher than it’s nominal spec.
This time, I happened to have a platform capable of running at full loading (over 800W) and it allowed me a great chance to compare the difference.
When the loading was around 770W~810W,
the rpm and CFM of the fan were both increased without making obvious noise and the body temperature of the Power Supply was around 60 Celsius.
In terms of these two aspects, I think you can say the PSU is quite excellent.
In terms of voltage fluctuation, relatively, the fluctuation is much less in 3.3V and 5V.
Though the fluctuation of 12V is a bit higher, after being measured by a meter,
the fluctuation ratio is actually only 2.2%, making itself quite a great point/performance in a 600W PSU loaded a lot above 600W.

The end user price of be quiet! Straight Power E7 600W in the market is around 3,990 NTD, roughly equal to $124 USD.
E7 600W (non-CM version) is around 500NTD lower than E7 580W (CM version) launched to the market earlier.
The two models of new E7 non-CM version (500W & 600W) are capable of increasing the C/P value of E7 version.
So, if an end user is taking non-CM power supply into their consideration while making a purchase,
Straight Power E7 might be quite a good alternative since its C/P value is relatively quite high. : )