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.

According to the Steam Hardware Survey published for the month ending May 2010, the most popular gaming resolution is 1280x1024 (17-19" standard LCD monitors). Our benchmark performance tests typically concentrate the more demanding 1680x1050 (22-24" widescreen LCD) and 2.30MP 1920x1200 (24-28" widescreen LCD monitors) resolutions. However, as this is a mid-range video card, we've dropped the 1920x1200 benchmarks and added 1280x1024 to better capture the intended use of this card.

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.

DX11 Cost to Performance Ratio

For this article Benchmark Reviews has included cost per FPS for graphics performance results. Only the least expensive product price is calculated, and does not consider tax, freight, promotional offers, or rebates into the cost. All prices reflect product series components, and do not represent any specific manufacturer, model, or brand. These retail prices for each product were obtained from NewEgg.com on 30-September-2010:

• $130 Radeon HD 4870 512MB
• $140 GeForce GTS 450 1GB
• $150 Radeon HD 5770 1GB

AMD Phenom II Test System

• Motherboard: ASUS M4A79T Deluxe (AMD 790FX/SB750)
• Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE Deneb 3.2GHz (HDZ955FBGIBOX)
• CPU Cooler: ZEROtherm Zen
• System Memory: Crucial 1333MHz CL 9-9-9-24 DDR3 (2x2GB)
• Primary Drive: OCZ Summit MLC SSD OCZSSD2-1SUM120G
• Power Supply Unit: Corsair CMPSU-850TX 850W
• Monitor: 23-Inch Widescreen LCD (up to 2048x1152@60Hz)

DirectX-10 Benchmark Applications

• 3DMark Vantage v1.02 (Extreme Quality, 8x Multisample Anti-Aliasing, 16x Anisotropic Filtering, 1:2 Scale)
• Resident Evil 5 Benchmark (DX10, Super-High Quality, 8x MSAA)

DirectX-11 Benchmark Applications

• Aliens vs Predator (Very High Quality, 4x AA, 16x AF, SSAO, Tessellation, Advanced Shadows)
• BattleForge v1.2 (Very High Quality, 8x Anti-Aliasing, Auto Multi-Thread)
• Mafia II (Antialiasing, 16x AF, High Shadow Quality, High Detail, Ambient Occlusion, No/Medium APEX PhysX)
• Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.1 (DX11, Normal Tessellation, 16x AF, 4x AA)

Video Card Test Products

• ASUS HD4870 TOP (815 MHz GPU/925 MHz vRAM - ATI Catalyst Driver 10.8)
• XFX HD5770 (850 MHz GPU/1200 MHz vRAM - ATI Catalyst Driver 10.8)
• ASUS GTS 450 TOP (925 MHz GPU/1850 MHz Shader/1000 MHz vRAM - Forceware 260.52)
• EVGA GTS 450 FTW (920 MHz GPU/1840 MHz Shader/1026 MHz vRAM - Forceware 260.52)

<< Previous Page - Next Page >>