VGA Testing Methodology

The Microsoft DirectX-11 graphics API is native to the Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System, and will be the primary O/S for our test platform. DX11 is also available as a Microsoft Update for the Windows Vista O/S, so our test results apply to both versions of the Operating System. The majority of benchmark tests used in this article are comparative to DX11 performance, however some high-demand DX10 tests have also been included.

In each benchmark test there is one 'cache run' that is conducted, followed by five recorded test runs. Results are collected at each setting with the highest and lowest results discarded. The remaining three results are averaged, and displayed in the performance charts on the following pages.

A combination of synthetic and video game benchmark tests have been used in this article to illustrate relative performance among graphics solutions. Our benchmark frame rate results are not intended to represent real-world graphics performance, as this experience would change based on supporting hardware and the perception of individuals playing the video game.

Intel X58-Express Test System

• Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D-E (Intel X58/ICH10R/Marvell SE9128)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-920 Nehalem 2.66 GHz (BX80601920)
• CPU Cooler: Prolimatech Megahalems
• System Memory: Kingston HyperX DDR3 KHX2000C8D3T1K3 (3x2GB @ 1333 CL6-6-6-18)
• Primary Drive: OCZ Agility-EX SLC SSD OCZSSD2-1AGTEX60G firmware 1.60
• Power Supply Unit: OCZ Z-Series Gold 850W OCZZ850
• ASUS GeForce GTX 480 (701 MHz GPU/1401 MHz Shader/924 MHz vRAM - Forceware 260.63 Beta)

DirectX-11 Benchmark Applications

• Aliens vs Predator
  • Extreme Settings: (Very High Quality, 4x AA, 16x AF, SSAO, Tessellation, Advanced Shadows)
• Lost Planet 2
  • Extreme Settings: (Very High Texture, Rendering, DirectX-11, 2x MSAA)
• Mafia II
  • Extreme Settings: (Antialiasing, 16x AF, High Shadow Quality, High Detail, High Geometry, Ambient Occlusion)
• Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.1
  • Extreme Settings: (High Quality, Normal Tessellation, 16x AF, 2x AA)

3D Vision Test Results

Back in early 2009 when Benchmark Reviews first tested NVIDIA's 3D Vision technology on PC video games, nearly all of the performance results demonstrated a 50% frame rate drop with stereoscopic effects turned on. This made sense, because two staggered versions of each frame were being displayed. Almost two years later, and the newest titles are beginning to overcome this trend.

Aliens vs Predator, Unigine Heaven 2.1, and Lost Planet 2 all keep to tradition, and lose 50% of the frame rate performance with 3D Vision enabled. For this reason alone, the technology is best suited for gamers capable of providing high-end graphical power. In our tests, this power came from either a single GeForce GTX 480 or two cards in SLI.

Notice that in the Lost Planet 2 tests that frame rate was reduced by only 38%, and not the 51% or more exhibited by older game engines. Mafia II proves this point, primarily because it's the most recent game of the group, and loses only 30% with 3D Vision enabled and a mere 11% when tested using an SLI set. This is proof evident that it's the game that determines the FPS loss, and not the hardware.

3D Vision Surround Tests

Very few people can afford the luxury of NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround technology, as it requires expensive amounts of hardware that becomes cost-prohibitive for most people. In our 3D Vision Surround tests, Aliens vs Predator would not run with 4x AA, and the frame rates were very poor at 2x AA. Heaven 2.1 retained the traditional 50% loss, while Lost Planet 2 gave away only 42%. Mafia II was again the most efficient game in terms of 3D Vision Surround performance, and lost only 22% performance when stereoscopic effects were enabled.

On a side note, Lost Planet2 and Mafia 2 is absolutely phenomenal with 3D-Vision and 3D Vision Surround. Both games offer built-in multi-monitor profiles, likely a benefit of being 3D Vision Ready titles. Combining two GeForce GTX 480's into SLI allowed this game to play at 5760 x 1080 resolution across three monitors using the highest settings with APEX PhysX enabled, delivering a thoroughly impressive experience.

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