How do you measure graphics horsepower?

You know, when we’re testing graphics add-in boards (AIBs) we and others usually mention how the AIB has the horsepower to run games at high frames and high resolution.

But these high-end AIBs also consume a lot of power while delivering up zombies, radio-active Russians, and war weary Nazis.

 

So I think we should express the AIBs in terms of horsepower.

For example, the new Nvidia GTX580, which really does have the horsepower, also uses over a third of a horsepower to do it.

So, just like new cars are graded by their horsepower, graphics AIBs can be too.

For example:

  • AMD HD 6870 – 20% horsepower
  • AMD HD5870 – 25% horsepower
  • Nvidia GTX480 –  32.7% horsepower
  • Nvidia GTX580 – 33.5% horsepower

With this new rating system, now game enthusiast can puff their chests and say, yeah, got me a 33% HP board today, ugh ugh ugh.

 

*Jon Peddie, Jon Peddie Research