Power consumption, temps, and noise
We've determined that gaming benchmark performance for the GTS 450 is practically identical to a HD 5750's, while the ASUS GTS 450 TOP generally matches the HD 5770's numbers.
Exacerbating and illuminating the power-draw foible of the ASUS TOP by subjecting it to some FurMark love, it draws an incredible 22W more than a GTX 460 768MB - a GPU that is, on average, 25 per cent faster. We ran the test several times to verify numbers.
Temps
The ASUS TOP cooler provides reference-beating temperatures in spite of power-draw disadvantages.
A word on noise
NVIDIA's reference GTS 450 uses a cooler that's virtually identical to a GTX 460's. The fan-speed is tuned to put noise ahead of all-out thermal performance; it spins at just 1,620rpm under the most intense load, and we couldn't hear it above the noise generated by the rest of the system. Subjectively, we'd give it 9/10 for quietness.
ASUS uses a more-aggressive fan-speed profile to keeps temps in check. Subjected to the same FurMark load, the TOP's fan spins at 2,760rpm. The large fan doesn't sound particularly loud at this setting, however, and it will only annoy readers who demand ultra-quiet systems. We'd rate it 7/10 for quietness.
