Test Setup
Rather than benchmarking with the FX51 we had been using, we decided to switch over to a more mainstream (but still very fast) Athlon 64 3400+ platform. We are trying to standardize our benchmarking components in order to keep our numbers comparable between articles. This setup is another step closer to our goals of standardization.| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | AMD Athlon 64 3400+ |
| Motherboard: | FIC K8-800T (VIA K8T800 Chipset) |
| RAM: | 2 x 512Mb OCZ 3500 Platinum Ltd |
| Hard Drive: | Seagate 120GB 7200RPM PATA (8MB Buffer) |
| Operating System: | Windows XP Professional SP1 |
| Video Drivers: | ATI CATALYST 4.1 NVIDIA ForceWare 53.03 |
This is the first graphics review that we've done with the new ATI drivers. As a side note, we didn't see any major performance gains in anything, though there were slight improvements in some OpenGL games. We haven't done an in-depth study on the driver yet, and if there is anything interesting or exciting that pops up, we'll be sure to write about it. In addition, all overclocking is performed using Powerstrip (even though some vendors include their own overclocking tools).
And now the moment we've all been waiting for: the performance tests.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
44 Comments
View All Comments
KristopherKubicki - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
Very well done.Icewind - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
I'd like to know how the freak the Nvidia cards outdid the ATI's in Halo and UT2k3, thats just beyond me.TheSnowman - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
hum Derek, i don't suppose you know why the nvidia based high end cards idle at so much lower temperature when compared to the ati based offerings?AnonymouseUser - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
Nice roundup. The 5900se (priced similar to the 5700 Ultra and 9600XT) is what I find most impressive.Abraxas - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
great review, this is the first of its type that i've seen and it really changed my mind on what card to buy. I would like to see 1280x1024 or even 1600x1200 in a future review, but even at 1024 it is nice.53.03 is really that much faster? that's just amazing.
#7 ATI held a huge advantage on older drivers in HALO, just as much as in HL2. if the new drivers are that much faster... it appears that nvidia should never have been doubted :)
DerekWilson - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
Sorry Icewind, we didn't include numbers for stock 9800pro, 5900(ultra/non-ultra/se/xt) or any stock card other than the newest releases. Most other reviews cover reference cards running stock numbers, but we just needed one reference point to show where these numbers fell and give people a basis to judge performance increase.Iger, there are a few reasons for what you are seeing. I would say that your questions were the correct ones to ask.
We could only use a couple benchmarks, and the couple we chose are standardish (UT2K3), based on very common engines (JKJA), or one of the few available (Halo having PS2.0 support). These were not the games with huge performance gaps between them (like Tomb Raider or Tron). Also, since we were including 5700 and 9600 parts, we wanted to stick with the standard-but-lowish 1024x768 resolution rather than bump up a 1280 flavor.
There is also one other thing that has been overlooked. Since the fall, there have been some driver changes. We've moved up to 53.03 for NVIDIA (which brough some noticeable performance increases) and the CATALYST 4.1 drivers which we have yet to give a good work out.
In future reviews of this type, we plan on going with higher resolutions even if we include midrange cards. So the question we leave to the readers is this: how high do we go? 1152x864, 1280x960, 1280x1024 or 1600x1200 ...
Lonyo - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
Most 9800's seem to be able to hit about 450MHz at the very max. Even the 9800 non-pro's (mine can get to 440MHz, but I run at 430MHz).Seems like a limit of the chip at about that sort of level.
drpepper1280 - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
To answer a few questions, the passivly cooled 9600xt is on newegg, its the ultimate version. If you search by category it is at the bottom. Also the reason the nvidia cards do well against the ati cards is because they are overclocked in the bench marks (I'm pretty sure), also none of the bench marks are Half Life 2, lol. I had one question even before viewing the article, how does sapphires 9600xt 256mb stand up. Unfortunetly it was not reviewed, but I did read the the 9600xt could benifit from a memory increase. This makes me wonder if the 9600xt 256mb is actually a really good deal (it only cost 170 dollars), or if it is like many 256mb cards that actually decrease performance.Iger - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
It's strange it almost doesn't correspond with the fall test of FX5950 against 9800XT... There 9800XT looked much stronger... Now even the reference XT looks weaker, than FX. Maybe that's because the fall test was at higher resolutions? Or just not enough tests to see the big picture?tfranzese - Wednesday, February 4, 2004 - link
Good article. Impressed with both camp's overclocking headroom.