Power consumption

Although the GTX 580 is based on a really frickin' big GPU, its power consumption is generally pretty reasonable, especially at idle. The AMP²! doesn't add much power draw versus the stock 580, either, despite its higher clock speeds. One clear weakness is apparent: with a Radeon HD 6970 installed, our test system requires over 60W less than it does with the AMP²!. (Do I put a period there? Hrm.)

Noise levels and GPU temperatures

Yeah, we saved 'em for the end, but those last two bar charts are pretty much the clincher for the GTX 580 AMP²! This card is the quietest solution we tested while running a game, measurably below the noise levels produced by the stock GTX 580 and the Radeon HD 6970. At the same time, Zotac's custom cooler keeps the AMP²!'s GPU running nearly 20° C below the rest of the pack. I'm smitten, enamored with this outcome, but more so with the subjective experience it helps describe. The AMP²! lets you play games effortlessly, fluidly, at just a whisper.