Methodology, Test Setup, Power and CPU Usage
No real gaming tests were done and a video card was not added because at this time the GPU offers all the features necessary for tasks that the CPU is capable of handling competently. No encoding tests (other than those included in the suites) were done. No testing as a server were done as to test in that manner would render this system stuck in a box as a NAS and that would be a waste of money. So what tests did we do? Standardized synthetic testing to give you an idea of the global performance of the E45M1-I as it pertains to all general usage aspects as well as power usage, CPU usage and memory tweaking/overclocking to get every pennies worth out of this system.
Testing was done in a full ATX HTPC case to allow for easy access to components; however, to better simulate the operating conditions of a smaller case only two 80mm case fans were left active. The components used are as follows:
MB\CPU\GPU = ASUS E45M1-I
SSD = OCZ Agility 3
Memory Stock Testing = 8GB Gskill 1333 RipJaws
Memory OC Testing = 4GB Kingston HyperX 2133
PSU = OCZ 500W Modular 80Plus
Stock Testing
At stock settings the E45M1-I moved along fine. No real snap to anything but no lag either. We asked it do do a few tasks that we deemed minimal absolutes for a board in this price range. We did not bother with DVD playback because it is a given.
HULU viewing was very smooth and CPU usage was fairly steady though power usage fluctuated between 30 and 39w with an average of 35w being used.
Netflix was a bit better as silver light balances loads between the GPU and CPU allowing for a bit more responsiveness if you are doing some work while playing video in a window. Power usage was a fairly stable 33w with little outlying variation. Again CPU usage was fairly steady but here the GPU kicks the boost.
When it comes to the BRD (Blu-Ray)testing we see the power usage peak at 50w and staying closer to the 47w mark with a few dips to 45w through the playback. Looking at the CPU and GPU usage it is pretty evident that the drive is adding quite a bit to this number as the usage is very similar to Netflix.
Actually putting the screws to the system with some OCCT testing to push the power usage envelope of the E450 we don’t find anything that scares us. We saw power usage stay under 60w with temps remaining in the upper 60s and a couple of spikes to 71º.
We can see this is a very efficient and capable setup where the HTPC and home entertainment sector are concerned – but what about general usage and overclocking? Well there are no real measures of how a system performs in the general usage role as it is very subjective; therefore we will run synthetic benchmarks to test for a baseline and improvements in performance. Do these benchmarks mean anything by themselves? No – not really, and therefore some comparative links will be provided for you to get an idea of how the E45M1-I really fares against other systems.
