Tuesday, August 1st 2023

AMD Radeon RX 6000/7000 GPUs Reduce Idle Power Consumption by 81% with VRR Enabled

AMD Radeon RX 6000 and RX 700 series based on RDNA 2 and RDNA 3 GPU architectures have been benchmarked by folks over at ComputerBase. However, these weren't regular benchmarks of performance but rather power consumption. According to their latest results, they discovered that enabling Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) can lower the power consumption of AMD Radeon cards in idle. Using a 4K display with a 144 Hz refresh rate, ComputerBase benchmarked Radeon RX 6800/6700 XT and RX 7900 XT, both last-generation and current-generation graphics cards. The performance matrix also includes a comparison to Intel Arc A770, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3080, and RTX 4080.

Regarding performance figures, the tests compare desktop idle consumption, dual monitor power consumption, window movement, YouTube with SDR at 60 FPS, and YouTube with HDR at 60 FPS, all done on a 4K 144 Hz monitor setup. You can see the comparison below, with the most significant regression in power consumption being Radeon RX 7900 XTX using 81% less power in single and 71% less power in dual monitor setup.
Source: ComputerBase.de
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94 Comments on AMD Radeon RX 6000/7000 GPUs Reduce Idle Power Consumption by 81% with VRR Enabled

#76
bug
WirkoRight, and that describes the solution from the topic title exactly: VRR.
Again, VRR is not a solution, the solution is to decouple the work the card does from the refresh rate. Relying on refresh rate to scale back in order to cut back on power draw is not a solution, it's just a coincidence. And you can see that it is not a solution, it stops "working" the moment you start moving windows around.
WirkoOr the thing I mentioned and apparently hasn't been implemented: variable memory clock, like in the 4080 and 4090. It's not sleeping, just walking instead of running.
You don't reach 100W power draw at idle from VRAM alone, clearly some GPU areas are put to work when they should be idling.
Posted on Reply
#77
Neverdie
For my 7900XT on a single 1080p monitor with fixed 60fps refresh rate and simple SDR mode, I think my idles are fantastic! 6-7W for the GPU and 3W for the 5800X3D CPU.
Go AMD!
Posted on Reply
#78
Cheeseball
Not a Potato
I just did a test with another monitor that I have:

An AOpen (Acer) Fire Legend 25XV2Q F set to 1080p at 300 Hz (and below) - The XTX clocks down properly.



But when set to 360 Hz, it exhibits high idle clocks:



No other software running in the background except the Snipping Tool.
Posted on Reply
#79
AusWolf
Neverdie3W for the 5800X3D CPU.
I don't think that's right. I'd check with HWinfo to be sure.
Posted on Reply
#80
Neverdie
AusWolfI don't think that's right. I'd check with HWinfo to be sure
I think you are right, thanks for the tip! Well, to be honest, now I am confused what value is being reported by the AMD software. :)
Posted on Reply
#81
Wirko
bugYou don't reach 100W power draw at idle from VRAM alone, clearly some GPU areas are put to work when they should be idling.
Memory, memory controllers on the small chiplets, infinity fabric, and maybe more. Not that they should be idling, they should work at very much reduced clocks and voltages.
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#82
AusWolf
NeverdieI think you are right, thanks for the tip! Well, to be honest, now I am confused what value is being reported by the AMD software. :)
It's probably the "cores only" power, not the whole CPU package.
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#83
HOkay
NeverdieFor my 7900XT on a single 1080p monitor with fixed 60fps refresh rate and simple SDR mode, I think my idles are fantastic! 6-7W for the GPU and 3W for the 5800X3D CPU.
Go AMD!
I have to ask, why do you have a high end gaming PC but only a 1080p 60Hz monitor? This mismatch confuses me & I demand you buy a high refresh rate (120Hz+) monitor! :D
Posted on Reply
#84
Neverdie
HOkayI have to ask, why do you have a high end gaming PC but only a 1080p 60Hz monitor? This mismatch confuses me & I demand you buy a high refresh rate (120Hz+) monitor! :D
Hehe, yeah your question is valid. :)

To be honest, this is only because of my silly preferences. :p I like to play games with RT on and all settings maxed out, but resolution and refresh rate doesn't matter that much for me. AMD's weaker RT performance is usually still enough in 1080p. So far the only exception I found is cyberpunk. My setup can't maintain constant 60 fps in that game with all settings maxed and psycho RT. It's very close to it, but I guess I will have to wait for AMD to release FSR3. :D

By the way, I am actually planning to get a new monitor. Previously I had a 6600XT, so that was fine with my current 1080p display. I am saving up for an upgrade, also trying to figure out what should I buy. 1440 or 4k, IPS or oled, 27" or 32" size.
Posted on Reply
#85
HOkay
NeverdieHehe, yeah your question is valid. :)

To be honest, this is only because of my silly preferences. :p I like to play games with RT on and all settings maxed out, but resolution and refresh rate doesn't matter that much for me. AMD's weaker RT performance is usually still enough in 1080p. So far the only exception I found is cyberpunk. My setup can't maintain constant 60 fps in that game with all settings maxed and psycho RT. It's very close to it, but I guess I will have to wait for AMD to release FSR3. :D

By the way, I am actually planning to get a new monitor. Previously I had a 6600XT, so that was fine with my current 1080p display. I am saving up for an upgrade, also trying to figure out what should I buy. 1440 or 4k, IPS or oled, 27" or 32" size.
Aah, well with a 6600XT that makes more sense. I'm kinda amazed that you don't care about high refresh though, I think you're the first person I've ever heard of that's tried a first or third person game in high refresh & not cared about it? Or have you not tried a high refresh for more than a few minutes maybe?
My personal recommendation would be 27" 1440p. I think there's that LG 240Hz OLED one. I've gone 42" 4k OLED (LG C2) & tbh, it's obviously very hard to drive 4k at high refresh, but also I get motion sickness from it! Then again, if you don't care about high refresh then maybe a 32" 4k is the way to go for you, since driving games at 4k 60fps isn't so bad these days.
Posted on Reply
#86
Neverdie
HOkayAah, well with a 6600XT that makes more sense. I'm kinda amazed that you don't care about high refresh though, I think you're the first person I've ever heard of that's tried a first or third person game in high refresh & not cared about it? Or have you not tried a high refresh for more than a few minutes maybe?
My personal recommendation would be 27" 1440p. I think there's that LG 240Hz OLED one. I've gone 42" 4k OLED (LG C2) & tbh, it's obviously very hard to drive 4k at high refresh, but also I get motion sickness from it! Then again, if you don't care about high refresh then maybe a 32" 4k is the way to go for you, since driving games at 4k 60fps isn't so bad these days.
Actually I haven't tried it yet, otherwise I would have already bought it! :D This used to be intentional from my part, so this way I didn't overspend on gaming. :) In recent years I slowly built this setup stronger, piece by piece. Now I have to admit, it deserves a better display. Thanks for the recommendations, I am pretty sure any of those options would be a significant upgrade! I just can't make up my mind yet. Maybe I will wait and try to get a nice deal during black friday or something. :)
Posted on Reply
#87
HOkay
NeverdieActually I haven't tried it yet, otherwise I would have already bought it! :D This used to be intentional from my part, so this way I didn't overspend on gaming. :) In recent years I slowly built this setup stronger, piece by piece. Now I have to admit, it deserves a better display. Thanks for the recommendations, I am pretty sure any of those options would be a significant upgrade! I just can't make up my mind yet. Maybe I will wait and try to get a nice deal during black friday or something. :)
Aaah, that makes sense now. No one who tries high refresh for more than half an hour can ever go back! It's a blessing & a curse, because yes, everything gets way more expensive once that becomes a requirement for you to enjoy a game, trust me! Still worth it though, it's so gloriously smooth! You'll be fine on 1440p 144Hz with a 7900XT, I'd definitely recommend that combo. Leave 4k high refresh for another 3-5 years.
Posted on Reply
#88
Kyan
HOkayAaah, that makes sense now. No one who tries high refresh for more than half an hour can ever go back! It's a blessing & a curse, because yes, everything gets way more expensive once that becomes a requirement for you to enjoy a game, trust me! Still worth it though, it's so gloriously smooth! You'll be fine on 1440p 144Hz with a 7900XT, I'd definitely recommend that combo. Leave 4k high refresh for another 3-5 years.
I will add the 1440p 75Hz option if you really don't want to spend too much, but with 144Hz screen you have the choice to run a game at 144 or at 80 or 100, ... depending of the game and what you want. I run a lot of game (single player mostly or slow multi player) on the 80-100 fps range, it's still smooth and it run cooler. The only time i go to 165Hz is for rocket league (competitive game)
Posted on Reply
#89
Neverdie
KyanI will add the 1440p 75Hz option if you really don't want to spend too much, but with 144Hz screen you have the choice to run a game at 144 or at 80 or 100, ... depending of the game and what you want. I run a lot of game (single player mostly or slow multi player) on the 80-100 fps range, it's still smooth and it run cooler. The only time i go to 165Hz is for rocket league (competitive game)
Sounds reasonable. I think I would be fine with 60-144Hz, I am not really into fast shooters anymore. More like casual, singleplayer and such.
Posted on Reply
#90
Keullo-e
S.T.A.R.S.
According to HWInfo64, my 6700 XT seems to use ~50W when I'm using a web browser on my main display and playing a youtube video on my second display. 4K60 with Freesync + 1080p144 screens.
Posted on Reply
#91
Lew Zealand
KyanI will add the 1440p 75Hz option if you really don't want to spend too much, but with 144Hz screen you have the choice to run a game at 144 or at 80 or 100, ... depending of the game and what you want. I run a lot of game (single player mostly or slow multi player) on the 80-100 fps range, it's still smooth and it run cooler. The only time i go to 165Hz is for rocket league (competitive game)
This is exactly how I run my gaming. 80 or 100 fps capped in most games because for SotTR or Horizon ZD, over 100 fps is not any better than 100. Low poly games (Raft, Slime Rancher) look identical over 80 fps. But for Forza Horizon 4 or Rocket League, 144 fps is noticeably better than 100. It's not a big difference but it's noticeable.
Posted on Reply
#92
HOkay
Lew ZealandThis is exactly how I run my gaming. 80 or 100 fps capped in most games because for SotTR or Horizon ZD, over 100 fps is not any better than 100. Low poly games (Raft, Slime Rancher) look identical over 80 fps. But for Forza Horizon 4 or Rocket League, 144 fps is noticeably better than 100. It's not a big difference but it's noticeable.
What I find fascinating is that the line is so different for everyone. Some people will say 60fps looks no different to a 100fps, others will say 240fps or nothing! Some people can't even notice high refresh rate! I once tested my dad & he absolutely couldn't tell, even after being told which is which & retesting he was still having to guess. Yet to me it's instantly obvious if it's that big a gap. Really interesting, I wish there were more studies on it.
Posted on Reply
#93
Keullo-e
S.T.A.R.S.
HOkayWhat I find fascinating is that the line is so different for everyone. Some people will say 60fps looks no different to a 100fps, others will say 240fps or nothing! Some people can't even notice high refresh rate! I once tested my dad & he absolutely couldn't tell, even after being told which is which & retesting he was still having to guess. Yet to me it's instantly obvious if it's that big a gap. Really interesting, I wish there were more studies on it.
Depends of the game, I'd say. I'm totally fine playing 4K60 myself, got a 1080p144 screen just for pure interest but I mostly use it as a "normal" secondary screen.
Posted on Reply
#94
HOkay
KissamiesDepends of the game, I'd say. I'm totally fine playing 4K60 myself, got a 1080p144 screen just for pure interest but I mostly use it as a "normal" secondary screen.
This is what I mean, for you that totally works, but for me that 60fps feels like it's slowing down my brain. Whenever I use my work's office screens for a while then come home & fire up my screens it's like a breath of fresh air for my brain. It sounds ridiculous but that's my experience.
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