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The Official Graphics Card and PC gaming Thread
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 12:12 |
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Those are different ports, PCI express 1x are the very small slots between/underneath the long 16x slots.
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 12:24 |
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After a second run through the final boss, my initial impressions on the performance have improved. The first part, with the thing walking on deck, is where the framerate crawls. Constant of about 15-20 depending on where I'm looking. Frequent dips to 10 when it uses an attack. But when the big one comes out of the water, my framerate actually skyrockets. I saw about 40FPS when it first emerged and about 20-25 through the battle. This is of course with frequent dips to 12-14 whenever it attacks.
My impression: most of it is totally playable. The framerates seem to split in two. There are framerates for normal play, and framerates for when attacks are used. When the lasers fire, the framerate dips. But when the attack stops it goes back up. This is probably pretty obvious but I felt it was important to notice for gauging performance.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388 |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 12:26 |
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I'll bear this in mind, and test the crawler at 2560.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 17:09 |
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Crysis test results, all high settings on 4870:
Reckoning
Walker
In-shot, not firing, 1920x1200: 21-22fps
Firing sequence, 1920x1200: 16-18fps
In-shot, not firing, 2560x1600: 15-16fps
Firing sequence, 2560x1600: 11-12fps
Contact
Hill descent to bay, 1920x1200: 29-31fps
Hill descent to bay, 2560x1600: 19-22fps
Onslaught
Tank battle, 1920x1200: 24-31fps
Tank battle, 2560x1600: 14-17fps
K.I.A., 1920x1200: 20-21fps
K.I.A., 2560x1600: 12-13fps
Exodus
Rescue section, 1920x1200: 28-33fps
Rescue section, 2560x1600: 12-18fps
Paradise Lost
Defend Prophet, 1920x1200: 28-36fps
Defend Prophet, 2560x1600: 16-21fps
Core
Crystal caves, 1920x1200: 32-41fps
Crystal caves, 2560x1600: 22-26fps
Large chamber, 1920x1200: 32-43fps
Large chamber, 2560x1600: 18-24fps
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. August 2008 @ 17:13
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 17:20 |
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Will now post several high resolution 'beauty shots' of crysis, as I'm sure people will be interested.
This first one took me aback, it looks vastly different on all high settings to how I remember passing through it shadowless with no shaders. Irony is, even with that detail adjustment I don't think my 3870 managed this frame rate...
The odd thing about crysis is how much your frame rate improves when standing still. It must be to do with the motion blur - ironic in itself, it's that motion blur that helps the game look good with a low frame rate, but it looks like it's what causes the low frame rate to start with!
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/5231/...y2560maxjt7.jpg
It's worth mentioning, a few inches before this section, the bit that's blocked off because you need to destroy the power generator on the right to stop the 'forcefield', the high velocity spray coming out seriously lagged the game a bit, dropping as low as 17fps even at 1920x1200, as soon as it was destroyed and the mist removed, the game ran smoothly at both resolutions.
note: jpeg'ing screens like this causes significant image deterioration. if anyone would like some high-res unaltered bitmaps, let me know.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. August 2008 @ 17:21
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 22:32 |
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Holy ****!! Those framerates are way better than I could have hoped for. I should have absolutely no problem with my tweaked settings at 1920 x 1200.
Quote:
This first one took me aback, it looks vastly different on all high settings to how I remember passing through it shadowless with no shaders. Irony is, even with that detail adjustment I don't think my 3870 managed this frame rate...
Now do you see what I meant by leaving shaders and shadows up? They majorly cripple the look of the game when turned off. I seriously didn't know an HD3870 was that weak. I thought it might be able to handle all high at 1280 res. But at the resolutions you routinely run, I bet it crawled :P
Quote:
It's worth mentioning, a few inches before this section, the bit that's blocked off because you need to destroy the power generator on the right to stop the 'forcefield', the high velocity spray coming out seriously lagged the game a bit, dropping as low as 17fps even at 1920x1200, as soon as it was destroyed and the mist removed, the game ran smoothly at both resolutions.
Right, I know the spot you're talking about. That's why I felt the need to split the framerates. They dip when there are heavy shaders and lighting, and they "average out" when all the fireworks stop.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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harvrdguy
Senior Member
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17. August 2008 @ 22:40 |
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Originally posted by estuansis:
And the open field is perfect for pitched battles. Just now, I had 3 KPA Humvees charging across the field at me guns blazing. They were bouncing on all the bumps, throwing up dust, knocking down trees. The sense of realism is amazing at times.
It's the incredible level design that keeps bringing me back. And the enemy AI is actually fairly intelligent. I can't count how many times I've been slowly creeping through the woods in stealth mode and stumbled right on top of big groups walking silently on patrol. They never talk until they see you for fear of giving themselves away, and they actually look like they're trying to walk silently. You can see that they are alert and scanning the woods carefully watching for any sign of movement. Sometimes you can even catch the leaders(red berets) making hand signals.
If you want the perfect level to represent all forms of gameplay in Crysis, Onslaught is it. You can go through it as quickly or as slowly as you please. I usually play in it for a few hours at a time. Sneaking around special forces style and picking off stragglers behind patrols and the like. Sometimes I stealth my way into a village and clear out a whole platoon silently. Other times I grab a truck and go off-roading just for the hell of it.
Mere words just can't describe how much stuff is packed into Onslaught. Play through it yourself and see what I mean.
I can't say it enough. Poor performance or no, Crysis is deserving of every award it got.
Wow, Nice review! I had no idea, having played only the demo! Gotta get the whole game looks like!!
Originally posted by estuansis:
Yes, I think Episode 2 looks better from an aesthetic standpoint. And yes, I LOVED all three Half-Life 2 games so far. But Crysis is just insanely above it in both graphics and gameplay. It is way ahead of anything else at this point and probably won't be matched for a long time still. Even the newest games you read about in magazines aren't as good looking or as open ended level-wise. Doesn't that warrant some forgiveness?
Well, I know you are a big EP2 fan, as am I - so Crysis must kick some major butt for you to compare it that favorably!! Niiice!
Originally posted by sammorris:
Prior to the 4870 to get the game looking its best I had to use a slideshow like frame rate, or to get it running good it looked mediocre. Now it's watchable at max settings it is a beautiful spectacle.
Well, there's the rub. Decent frames - not spectacular graphics. Maybe I better wait for the new build.
Originally posted by sammorris:
Onslaught
Tank battle, 1920x1200: 24-31fps
Tank battle, 2560x1600: 14-17fps
K.I.A., 1920x1200: 20-21fps
K.I.A., 2560x1600: 12-13fps
Yeah, no doubt about it - new build.
Originally posted by sammorris:
note: jpeg'ing screens like this causes significant image deterioration. if anyone would like some high-res unaltered bitmaps, let me know.
Sam, let me suggest that you check the Options settings on your jpeg compression routine. If you are compressing more than 10 to 1 you will definitely lose a lot of quality. If Paint doesn't give you the ability to change the Save As compression rate, then I suggest you try Ulead, and use the 90% quality setting - which will give you a roughly 10 to 1 compression, versus the standard 30 to 1, or even 50 to 1 that you get with some programs. Anyway, can you link to the full bmp so we can see the difference? By the way, what is this shot? Are you looking down at the "boss?" -Rich
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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17. August 2008 @ 23:12 |
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Well, a 3850 will play it smoothly with medium-high settings, but not at 1600 x 1200. You're looking at an 8800GT or 4850 atleast. I would wait on a new build completely with a dual core or better. Also, AGP is pretty old now.
And yes, Crysis is simply an amazing game that is unmatched in graphics, gameplay, and presentation. It has its rough moments, whereas other games have almost none, but it is definitely worth it to play as high as you can get it. Some of the in-game moments are almost awe-inspiring.
Oh yeah, that one shot sam gave is in the core of the alien ship. The boss is way bigger :D
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 17. August 2008 @ 23:23
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 07:00 |
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Estuansis: The 3870 could run the game pretty well at 1680x1050 to its credit, but at 2560x1600, it just wasn't up to the job. Agreed on your sentiment about the 4870's frame rates, they're higher than even I expected. It's worth noting that the particular section with the power generator is the only example I've seen so far of a seriously low frame rate apart from the walker in Reckoning, and I had a look through quite a few sections of the game.
Harv: Indeed, Crysis isn't a game I would recommend playing on anything less than an 8800GT, so the 3870 is out. I played it through in its entirity on my 3870 and enjoyed it, but only now seeing it on high settings and running smoothly do I realise just how much I missed. One of the bizarre things about Crysis is due to its motion blur and strange particulate air effects, such as the smoke inside 'Core', most screenshots don't actually look that impressive, but when you see them in motion, it completely transforms the effect.
I'm only using cruddy mspaint to jpeg pictures at the moment, so I've no idea what settings it uses. I would like to upload the full bitmap image, but at my resolution, that's 12 megabytes, and I don't know a free image hosting site that allows pictures that large.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 07:20 |
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For those of you who have absurd amounts of money to spend, here's what Skulltrail offers (yes, it now supports triple GTX280 SLI!)
Tests conducted with:
Skulltrail D5400XS motherboard - 1140 bios
8GB of Crucial FB DDR2 @ 800mhz (4x2GB)
2x Intel QX9775 Engineering Samples (@ 4.4 Ghz ? 11x400, 1.475 volts)
2x Corsair Nautilus Watercoolers with modded underside 220mm fans
Corsair 1000w PSU
LG 16x DVD Burner
4x WD Raptor Hard Drives (OS/Games on RAID 0 Drives)
1x Samsung Spinpoint
AS5 Thermal Compound
Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit + SP1
Forceware Release 179.83
Catalyst 8.4 beta for X2
2x ATI Reference Radeon HD 4870 X2 - 2gb
3x XFX GeForce GTX 280 XXX - 1gb
Call of Duty 4 4xAA, 16xAF:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 186fps, GTX280TSLI 211fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 165fps, GTX280TSLI 191fps
GRiD 4(8*)xAA, 16xAF
1920x1200*: HD4870X4 120fps, GTX280TSLI 128fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 106fps, GTX280TSLI 112fps
World in Conflict, 4xAA, 4xAF:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 123fps, GTX280TSLI 135fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 121fps
GRAW 2 0xAA, 16xAF:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 124fps, GTX280TSLI 168fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 157fps
Lost Planet Colonies, 1920x1200:
0xAA 16xAF: HD4870X4 101fps, GTX280TSLI 123fps
4xAA 16xAF: HD4870X4 86fps, GTX280TSLI 99fps
Half Life 2 Episode Two, 8xAA, 16xAF:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 181fps, GTX280TSLI 198fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 165fps, GTX280TSLI 171fps
Crysis, 1920x1200, all settings very high:
HD4870X4: 45fps, GTX280TSLI: 72fps
Oblivion, 4(8*)xAA, 16xAF:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 118fps, GTX280TSLI 141fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 129fps
Assassins Creed
1920x1200: HD4870X4 89fps, GTX280TSLI 158fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 81fps, GTX280TSLI 145fps
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singh127
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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18. August 2008 @ 10:42 |
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Originally posted by sammorris:
Those are different ports, PCI express 1x are the very small slots between/underneath the long 16x slots.
I am not sure what you are looking for so I have attached a link i hope this helps.... Shall I return the card ?
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l...296&modelmenu=1
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 12:10 |
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Wasn't looking for anything, I was just explaining what PCIE16_1 meant.
I would try a BIOS update before returning the card.
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Member
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18. August 2008 @ 12:29 |
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Quote:
2x HD 4870 X2 - 2gb
3x GTX 280 XXX - 1gb
Call of Duty 4:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 186fps, GTX280TSLI 211fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 165fps, GTX280TSLI 191fps
1920x1200*: HD4870X4 120fps, GTX280TSLI 128fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 106fps, GTX280TSLI 112fps
World in Conflict:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 123fps, GTX280TSLI 135fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 121fps
1920x1200: HD4870X4 124fps, GTX280TSLI 168fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 157fps
Lost Planet Colonies
1920x1200:
HD4870X4 101fps, GTX280TSLI 123fps
HD4870X4 86fps, GTX280TSLI 99fps
Half Life 2 Episode Two:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 181fps, GTX280TSLI 198fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 165fps, GTX280TSLI 171fps
Crysis, 1920x1200, all settings very high:
HD4870X4: 45fps, GTX280TSLI: 72fps
Oblivion:
1920x1200: HD4870X4 118fps, GTX280TSLI 141fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 112fps, GTX280TSLI 129fps
Assassins Creed
1920x1200: HD4870X4 89fps, GTX280TSLI 158fps
2560x1600: HD4870X4 81fps, GTX280TSLI 145fps
Edited the actual layout for a better view, but Woot for the GTX 280, however it was in a comparision of
2x HD 4870 X2 - 2gb
3x GTX 280 XXX - 1gb
which isn't exactly a good manipulated variable, but they are similar.
I got a GTX 280 to a clock of 677 from 602 with the fan speed on 76% and it gets a 3dmark06 of 41 897 for graphics.
xfx 790i P08 Bios
Q6600 at 3.4GHz
Patriot Viper DDR3 1600MHz 7-7-7-20-1T
GTX280 710 core clock i think
Dual boot system with:Ubuntu 64-bit,Vista Ultimate 64-bit,
Electrical Eng, Gamer, and Heavy PC user.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 12:40 |
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There is no 3dmark solely for the graphics side alone. What is your SM2.0 and SM3.0 score?
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18. August 2008 @ 13:20 |
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hmm on my 3dmark Vantage there is...I have the full version, not the free one. The free one only gives one score, which is the GPU one, even though it doesn't state that (I think that is how it works anyways). I'll take a screen shot when I get home to show you what I mean.
My CPU score is 11 513
and my GPU Score is 41 000 something.
What is SME or whatever?
xfx 790i P08 Bios
Q6600 at 3.4GHz
Patriot Viper DDR3 1600MHz 7-7-7-20-1T
GTX280 710 core clock i think
Dual boot system with:Ubuntu 64-bit,Vista Ultimate 64-bit,
Electrical Eng, Gamer, and Heavy PC user.
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singh127
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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18. August 2008 @ 13:24 |
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Originally posted by sammorris:
Wasn't looking for anything, I was just explaining what PCIE16_1 meant.
I would try a BIOS update before returning the card.
Do you have recommendations for a new card that you think would be good for my PC around the £80 - 100 pound mark?
I would like to install another compatiable gfx card into my system.
Thanks for all your help
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 14:36 |
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You said 3dmark06 before, not Vantage.
SM2.0 and SM3.0 are the two shader model versions 3dmark06 tests are run in. The first two tests (Return to Proxycon, Firefly Forest) are SM2 and the latter two (Canyon Flight, Deep Freeze) are SM3.
singh127: best buy is probably the 8800GT, unless you can afford £120 for a Radeon HD4850 (which is definitely worth it, a much better card)
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18. August 2008 @ 15:28 |
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Oh i see. I wasn't sure if there was a difference as it is still 3dMark.
I have 3DMark Vantage Professional, release date: 01.05.2008
...so I guess it can't be 3dMark06 haha silly me, I will have to download it.
My graphics tests are: Jane Nash and New Calico
With 2 CPU tests, and 6 features tests.
Anyways, after I run it, I get two scores, one for my CPU and for my graphics.
xfx 790i P08 Bios
Q6600 at 3.4GHz
Patriot Viper DDR3 1600MHz 7-7-7-20-1T
GTX280 710 core clock i think
Dual boot system with:Ubuntu 64-bit,Vista Ultimate 64-bit,
Electrical Eng, Gamer, and Heavy PC user.
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AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 15:33 |
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3DMark Vantage Professional? I'll download it and check my score.
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 15:45 |
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Keep in mind that Vantage is Vista and Dx10 only. I don't really trust any of the Futuremark products except as a way to see if your hardware is performing within spec. They are heavily biased toward nvidia cards and take way too much stock in processor speed and number of cores.
In 3Dmark 06, I've seen 13,000 with my 8800GTS but that was with all my background processes turned off and my CPU at 3.6GHz. I usually score around a 12,500 which is what sam got with his 4870. I know that's absolute rubbish because the 4870 is a way faster card.
As to those benchmarks. The GTX280 setup is faster about about twice as expensive as the 4870X2 setup. The benchmarks are pretty close in most cases, so if it were my money being spent, I knowq I'd take the 4870X2. But, alas, that's way outside of my price range. So I'll have to settle for a plain old 4870 :P
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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AfterDawn Addict
2 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 15:57 |
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Yeah I only got 14k with my Q6600 at 3.6Ghz and 4850 Overclocked to 675/1100.
SCREW YOU 3DMark! lol My 4850 is much faster than a 8800GT and I got 16k with that!
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 17:01 |
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3dmark is very pro-quad core and pro-nvidia, which in the real world, neither have much of an advantage for games.
However, the 'super graphics' systems are actually quite similar in cost. As it stands right now, three GTX280s, albeit cheap naff Leadtek ones, will set you back £750 delivered from overclockers, versus the £770 for the two HD4870X2s.
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AfterDawn Addict
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18. August 2008 @ 17:33 |
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MGR (Micro Gaming Rig) .|. Intel Q6600 @ 3.45GHz .|. Asus P35 P5K-E/WiFi .|. 4GB 1066MHz Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F60 SSD .|. Corsair H50-1 Cooler .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Lian Li PC-A70B .|. Be Queit P7 Dark Power Pro 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM (MVA Panel) .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell (TN Panel) .|. |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. August 2008 @ 17:36 |
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No, it's £751. You forgot we don't get free delivery. I hope this isn't going to be a common ocurrance... :P
Deny it as they might, the users are correct, that was always the case with shop-related threads before, just because I'm not a registered member of the OcUK forums (and refuse to be) doesn't mean I don't look on it sometimes.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18. August 2008 @ 17:38
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AfterDawn Addict
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18. August 2008 @ 17:41 |
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lol sorry i do keep forgetting, but one can use me to buy items, i can add other shipping adress's :)
MGR (Micro Gaming Rig) .|. Intel Q6600 @ 3.45GHz .|. Asus P35 P5K-E/WiFi .|. 4GB 1066MHz Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F60 SSD .|. Corsair H50-1 Cooler .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Lian Li PC-A70B .|. Be Queit P7 Dark Power Pro 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM (MVA Panel) .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell (TN Panel) .|.
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