Workstation cards. Why not?

[that1guy]

I heard somewhere that workstation cards aren't worth it.  But I don't remember why.  

I've got a workstation card (FireGL V3900) and it's mining 85ish mhashs and consuming about 50 watts (power rating from this site: http://www.sapphirepgs.com/presentation/product/product_detail.aspx?pid=48&psn=000101).  The 7750 puts out about 120 mhashs (according to this chart https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Mining_hardware_comparison ) for roughly 200 watts (power rating from this site: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7770-7750-benchmark,3135-14.html ).  

Am I doing my math wrong or is my workstation card putting out about 42% more mhashs per watt than the 7750?  I'd also like to add the V3900 hardly exceeds 60C (62C max) and my case sucks for cooling.  I compared to the 7750 because the chart shows that card for getting most mhashs for the least energy.


EDIT: OK I took a closer look at the list. ....The 7750 isn't the most mhashs per joule, but def is one of the top (according to the chart)

[mrlithium]

That mining chart needs to be completely redone, and I would help work on it if anyone cares besides me. But yea your video card certainly looks awesome for mining. 50 watt seems accurate as the slot can supply max of 60w on the 12v line without any PCIe power plugs. Maybe this was quite an early workstation card that was overlooked in terms of MH/W. Why don't you add your card to the chart ?

edit: I tried to find some on ebay, and all the FirePro's are really expensive. this is perhaps why nobody uses them.

[that1guy]

@ mrlithium
Did you look for the v3900 specificly or just for any ol' FirePro?  The V3900 should be about $120 new from newegg.  Other FirePro cards can be upto like $3000 or possibly more s:

[ssateneth]

7750 uses nowhere NEAR 200 watts. You're probably measuring the entire computer, which is not how you measure it.. measure power of card only. thats what matters.

measure power without card, plug in card, measure power with no gpu load, measure again with load.

[crazyates]

7750 uses nowhere NEAR 200 watts.

LOL no a 7750 uses about 60 watts, less if you underclock the RAM. A 7770 uses about 85 watts.

[that1guy]

ah you guys are right.  I read the whole article.  That 200 watts is total system power consumption.  I guess I should read stuff better before posting lol