What are some of the most power-efficient video cards today?

[Blue_Max]

I know there's the awesome GTX 750TI which gives half-decent performance while barely sipping power.

Before that was the Radeon 7750/7770...

..what's the next big thing? Maybe something a little faster than the 750TI? Daddy's feeling the itch to upgrade and 'lectricity is expensive when using all day.

Okay, I'd better mention this machine will get HEAVY use. Gaming, possibly even folding@home again.

 

[ZGR]

Iris Pro and Intel's HD lineup is overall really efficient.

Gaming? Can't beat the 750 ti for now... Who knows where the 960 will end up.

Can't forget Kaveri APUs either.

 

[Kenmitch]

Depends on what your doing when using it all day. Most modern gpus sip power at an idle.

 

[Headfoot]

If you want to save power, change your incandescents to LED bulbs. Trying to shave off a few tens of watts on a computer part which you use sparingly, and is under full load even more sparingly is making a mountain out of a molehill.

To answer the question though, it's the 750 Ti (or 750) in the midrange performance bracket.

 

[Blue_Max]

Edited OP to reflect HEAVY use.

I sure hope the 960 is super-efficient... [fingers crossed]

 

[Attic]

If you want to save power, change your incandescents to LED bulbs. Trying to shave off a few tens of watts on a computer part which you use sparingly, and is under full load even more sparingly is making a mountain out of a molehill.

To answer the question though, it's the 750 Ti (or 750) in the midrange performance bracket.

Agree with this.

Low power GPU's are great for keeping heat down (quiet fans or less fans or both) and being able to use lower watt rated PSU's (saves $$$).

Lowering electricity bill isn't going to do much at all if you are gaming 10 hours a week.

 

[Rezist]

Well the 960 is your only option then. Unless you want to jump to a 970.

 

[Blue_Max]

Well the 960 is your only option then. Unless you want to jump to a 970.

Does anyone even know its power efficiency yet??

And the light bulbs have been switched years ago. Moving from evil CFL to LED as need + sales arise.

I like efficiency, and I love tiny power bills along with "doing my part".

 

[SoulWager]

Does anyone even know its power efficiency yet??

The 960? Not anyone that can talk about it, but it should be similar to the other maxwell cards. As for the 970, here: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GTX_970_STRIX_OC/26.html

 

[Leyawiin]

Any Maxwell part (performance per watt).

 

[WittyRemark]

GTX750/750ti and R7 260X are the only ones.(gtx750<gtx750ti=260x)
GTX960 is rumored to have a single six pin connector,so it could use around 120~ish Watts.

 

[lyssword]

actually on radeon side, 7870/r270 has one of best amd side perf/watt, better than 7770 or 260x, I've seen it on one of the charts. Eats 30% more (85vs115 avg), but around 50% faster than 260x. or 265/7850.
*edit:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_970_Gaming/28.html

 

[Chevron]

I know there's the awesome GTX 750TI which gives half-decent performance while barely sipping power.

Before that was the Radeon 7750/7770...

..what's the next big thing? Maybe something a little faster than the 750TI? Daddy's feeling the itch to upgrade and 'lectricity is expensive when using all day.

Okay, I'd better mention this machine will get HEAVY use. Gaming, possibly even folding@home again.

The R9 285 is pretty damn power efficient.

 

[ShintaiDK]

The R9 285 is pretty damn power efficient.

Not really no. It uses same or more power as a GTX970 and only offers 2/3rd the performance.

For the OP, GTX960(When it comes) or the GTX970.