8800GTS shootout - XFX 8800GTS XXX vs Gainward 8800GTS "Golden Sample"
Game Tests - F.E.A.R., Quake 4 and Oblivion
Published: 5th March 2007 | Source: XFX | Price: |
F.E.A.R. is a game based on an engine that uses many features of DirectX 9.0c. It has volumetric lighting, soft shadows, parallax mapping and particle effects, with a slow-motion mode that really taxes today's top of the line GPU's. I fully patched version the game with the latest patch. I played three two-minute runs on a taxing part of the game with plenty of action, using slow-motion for the full time whilst firing at enemy soldiers and using grenades that produce a cool "blast" contortion effect when blown up.
Once again F.E.A.R. is a pretty even match for both cards, without the large lead shown by the XFX in Counter Strike: Source.
Quake 4
Quake 4 is a game built on the Doom 3 engine. This uses many DX 9.0c features and is a game that nVidia traditionally did well on being an OpenGL game. Once again I did three two minute runs on Quake 4 on each card and took the average of all my readings from these. I played a fast and furious part of the game that required both internal and external scenes.
The XFX had a slight edge in Quake 4, those faster stream processors giving the speed boost. I actually thought that the gameplay was slightly affected by the extra speed, but certainly not to a huge jump in gameplay.
Oblivion
Oblivion is an awesome RPG with a simply huge immersive environment, great graphics and incredibly realistic scenery. This game is currently one of the most testing games that you can buy and it is certainly a test of the high-end cards here. I chose to do a run-through of the Arena part of the game. I spoke to a character, did some magic whilst in a fight and fought in the arena that is pretty huge. Also as well as doing this test I took a wander around to make sure that the benchmark resembled the general gameplay with each card.
I enforced 4 x AA onto the game as nVidia cards now support AA and HDR in Oblivion.
Oblivion again shows a slight lead for the XFX card although this did not particularly affect the gameplay, once again.
Most Recent Comments
Excellent review Kemp.
Definatly made a good read
Definatly made a good read
looks like a good deal, does that GTS
but i am waiting to get a X1950XTX, when the R600 comes out, the price should plumit!
or so i hope
but i am waiting to get a X1950XTX, when the R600 comes out, the price should plumit!
or so i hope
Hey Kempez, do you thing a XFX XXX 320Mb version would be better than a regular 640Mb version?
I didn't try the 320mb version I'm afraid mark - but I put it in the conclusion as a consideration
nice review kemp =P
@ markkleb out of the box, GTX is better, GTS stock is 500 whereas GTX is 550-575. I dont think price/performance wise thou a GTX is worth more to get.
@ markkleb out of the box, GTX is better, GTS stock is 500 whereas GTX is 550-575. I dont think price/performance wise thou a GTX is worth more to get.
ai_01, he means XFX XXX 8800gts 320mb vs. the XFX 8800gts 640mb
i think
i think
One hell of a review there Kempez!
Really nice read.
Both cards coming out with pretty good results too.
Really nice read.
Both cards coming out with pretty good results too.
i look like an idiot :iamwithst
its about 100-90 US more for an extra 320mb of ram. my vote is the XXX, or any GTS w/the lower 320mb, and just overclock it, i like evga and XFX, they both clock well.
its about 100-90 US more for an extra 320mb of ram. my vote is the XXX, or any GTS w/the lower 320mb, and just overclock it, i like evga and XFX, they both clock well.
Btw, very nice review Kemp!
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Originally Posted by name='ai_01'
i look like an idiot :iamwithst
its about 100-90 US more for an extra 320mb of ram. my vote is the XXX, or any GTS w/the lower 320mb, and just overclock it, i like evga and XFX, they both clock well. |
great review!
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Originally Posted by name='darkorb'
ai_01, he means XFX XXX 8800gts 320mb vs. the XFX 8800gts 640mb
i think |
It seems in other reviews of 512Mb cards VS 256 mb cards most said the extra memory didnt to too much.
So it seemed to me the XFX XXX 320Mb GTS may be better "in the real world' than the reg 640Mb GTS.
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Originally Posted by name='ai_01'
i look like an idiot :iamwithst
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Originally Posted by name='markkleb'
So it seemed to me the XFX XXX 320Mb GTS may be better "in the real world' than the reg 640Mb GTS. |
i think the 640mb is more future proof, and games use more than 320mb now anyways
Good read, review, and comparison. XFX really seems to have hit a homerun with the higher paced stream processors, it looks to make all the difference. Now how to figure out how to do this yourself, muahahaha.
i was talkin to myself =P
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Originally Posted by name='markkleb'
I would NEVER say that, thanks for pointing out the need for me to be more specific in my posts. |
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Originally Posted by name='FragTek'
Good read, review, and comparison. XFX really seems to have hit a homerun with the higher paced stream processors, it looks to make all the difference. Now how to figure out how to do this yourself, muahahaha.
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Originally Posted by name='BigD'
maybe in dx9 but i think the 640mb version will pull ahead in dx10 when it is avail to use
i think the 640mb is more future proof, and games use more than 320mb now anyways |
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Originally Posted by name='FragTek'
Good read, review, and comparison. XFX really seems to have hit a homerun with the higher paced stream processors, it looks to make all the difference. Now how to figure out how to do this yourself, muahahaha.
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@ Kempez - damn fine review my man!
Edit: Overclocking stream processors - aparently a feature to overclock this seperately in later Forceware drivers was announced way back in November 06. It seems that nothing has happened but it all has something to do with CUDA which is not too far from C language. So, er - get on it! Write that code!
Also - another source suggested that when you OC the core the stream proccy OC's in a ratio (a ratio that nvidia won't confirm!). Furthermore, drivers seem to play a bit part in controlling the stream proccy speed... Just food for thought
Review Amended with UK pricing and a supplier with available products
Good review, Kemp
As markkleb asked which is 'better', I think a review between the 640 and 320mb versions should be on the shortlist. I personally think the 320mb version should be pretty good even with the memory cut in half, especially if you can cut off roughly $75 (which equates to a excellent HSF of almost another GB or RAM).
I'm in line behind Frag and Herr Smith, would like to know how to overclock all aspects of the 8800GTS. I've taken mine to 600/1010 with no problems, currently run it at 600/924 (stock is 513/792, do a little math, wanted the core at 600 so 924 is where the memory should be). I've been using Riva Tuner since the ol' Coolbits is gone (couldn't figure out that regedit download from Tox), only see the core and mem sliders, where is the stream slider (or some other way we can OC it).
TJS
As markkleb asked which is 'better', I think a review between the 640 and 320mb versions should be on the shortlist. I personally think the 320mb version should be pretty good even with the memory cut in half, especially if you can cut off roughly $75 (which equates to a excellent HSF of almost another GB or RAM).
I'm in line behind Frag and Herr Smith, would like to know how to overclock all aspects of the 8800GTS. I've taken mine to 600/1010 with no problems, currently run it at 600/924 (stock is 513/792, do a little math, wanted the core at 600 so 924 is where the memory should be). I've been using Riva Tuner since the ol' Coolbits is gone (couldn't figure out that regedit download from Tox), only see the core and mem sliders, where is the stream slider (or some other way we can OC it).
TJS
As far as I am aware you can't do an easy OC on the stream processors, although I haven't had time to fully look into it as I am really busy catching up after a family illness.
There's a few cool reviews to come and a 320mb card is on the offing somewhen, just not right now.
There's a few cool reviews to come and a 320mb card is on the offing somewhen, just not right now.
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Originally Posted by name='TJS'
Good review, Kemp
As markkleb asked which is 'better', I think a review between the 640 and 320mb versions should be on the shortlist. I personally think the 320mb version should be pretty good even with the memory cut in half, especially if you can cut off roughly $75 (which equates to a excellent HSF or almost another GB or RAM). I'm in line behind Frag and Herr Smith, would like to know how to overclock all aspects of the 8800GTS. I've taken mine to 600/1010 with no problems, currently run it at 600/924 (stock is 513/792, do a little math, wanted the core at 600 so 924 is where the memory should be). I've been using Riva Tuner since the ol' Coolbits is gone (couldn't figure out that regedit download from Tox), only see the core and mem sliders, where is the stream slider (or some other way we can OC it). TJS |
havnt seen the temp go above 70*c yet cuz i got some insain air fed to my card at all times... two 80mm fans and a 120mm all blowing on it
Yeah, thanks to your review, i bought the xxx gts 640, WOW wont need to look at staticice for another18 months!
Aye they do pwn somewhat
9500 on 3dmark06 - *sigh*, yeah. . . . .. they really DO pwn!
very interesting review
Great review Kemp.
Somewhere along the line I was wishing u`d take a screw-driver to those coolers, the pcbs look almost identical asif these guyz are working extremely close together. Like in the same building
I see many are already posing whether it`s better value to get a base card and do all the clocking uself. Meh.
Somewhere along the line I was wishing u`d take a screw-driver to those coolers, the pcbs look almost identical asif these guyz are working extremely close together. Like in the same building
I see many are already posing whether it`s better value to get a base card and do all the clocking uself. Meh.
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
Great review Kemp.
Somewhere along the line I was wishing u`d take a screw-driver to those coolers, the pcbs look almost identical asif these guyz are working extremely close together. Like in the same building I see many are already posing whether it`s better value to get a base card and do all the clocking uself. Meh. |
As for the clocking we can oc the core but not the stream processors
Aye they're all reference boards basically so the coolers the same as the reference. I could have taken em apart but not sure how much use it would have been.
I took the 8800GTX apart in that review.
If your particularly interested I could take apart another GTS and post some pics?
And ye you can OC the core clocks/memory clocks but I haven't found a way of doing the stream processors yet
I took the 8800GTX apart in that review.
If your particularly interested I could take apart another GTS and post some pics?
And ye you can OC the core clocks/memory clocks but I haven't found a way of doing the stream processors yet
Is the stream process likely to involve some kind of firm upgrade that some guy is probably working on in his pc room as we speak ? lol Now these are out I guess theres a further reference for him to work off.
If I`m the only one looking for hardcore up-cooler shots, I wouldn`t bother, if I do some searching there bound to be something out there
If I`m the only one looking for hardcore up-cooler shots, I wouldn`t bother, if I do some searching there bound to be something out there
I have pics of my EN8800 GTS nekkid if you want to have a look at them
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1 reviewer with an overclocked Core2Duo system
Mix with plenty of benchmarks
Lets see what you get