Real Power Consumption - 4870 X2 & GTX295 out of Spec!

[Eastcoasthandle]

IMO your interpretation is completely off(not trying to be arse or troll either). A stress test/program often times represents the max theoretical load any given component will be subjected to...

EX) I could game with my 8800GTS @ 837mhz core/2106mhz shader all day long(assuming I wished to subject myself to 100% fan speed) but could only fold @ 821 mhz core/2052mhz shader. If I had sold my card claiming 837/2106 stable to someone who wanted to fold that would be a lie, period. Which is why you test for stability with highest possible load scenario, you can only say 100% stable if it can pass a ~100% load scenario.

Why is it off? You really didn't explain so in this post. If the actually intent is to validate your OC for games or everyday applications (for example) then any additional load created by another program is invalid.

100% stable isn't define by exceeding the load of the device in question. It's the ability to run your programs and games without issue. This is were we disagree. This is why I don't see the relation between posts.

I was not aware that the 4870x2 would consume 400 watts under a heavy load at stock clocks. So overvolted and overclocked is going to be pumping some seriously insane levels of heat. One could likely near 500w of draw with a modded card, and that is getting a little crazy.

Maybe I don't understand. However, I don't see the reasoning of this post to the OP nor why you quoted my post with this response. Is there a game that draws 400 watts from this GPU under load?