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. All of the tests in this review were run with DX11 graphics.

According to the Steam hardware survey, as of December 2011 the most popular desktop resolution (for Steam users) is 1680x1050 pixels, with a 17.59% share, with 1920x1080 pixels coming in second with only 7.7%. I ran most tests at both 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 (I continue to prefer the 16:10 ratio of 1920x1200 to the mysteriously more popular 1920x1080 resolution).

I used a combination of synthetic and video game benchmark tests 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.

Note: AMD has not rolled the drivers for their new GCN video cards into their standard Catalyst release yet, so we're stuck with mysterious numbers: in this case the driver supplied with the Radeon 7770 video card is known as "ATI Driver 8.932.5-120116a-131942C-ATI".

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 12-February-2012:

• $139.00 GeForce GTX 460
• $190.00 GeForce GTX 560
• $330.00 GeForce GTX 570
• $135.00 Radeon HD 6850
• $240.00 Radeon HD 6950
• $180.00 Radeon HD 7770 (MSRP of XFX R7770 Black Super Overclocked Edition with Double Dissipation)

Intel X79-Express Test System

• Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X79 TUF, BIOS 0906
• Processor: Intel Core i7-3960X
• System Memory: 16GB Kingston HyperX Genesis DDR3-2133
• Primary Drive: Western Digital Velociraptor 300G
• Monitor: 27-Inch Widescreen LCD (up to 1920x1200@60Hz)

DirectX-11 Benchmark Applications

• Aliens vs Predator
  • High Settings: (High Quality, 4x AA, 8x AF, SSAO, Shadow Sampling, Tessellation, Medium Shadows)
• 3DMark11
  • "Performance" settings (resolution set to 1920x1200 from standard 1920x1080)
• Lost Planet 2
  • 4x AA, Middle Shadow Detail, Middle Texture, Middle Render, DirectX 11 Features)
• Batman: Arkham City
  • FXAA (medium), DX11 features on, Normal Tessellation, High Detail, Dynamic Shadows, Motion Blur, Distortion, Lens Flares, Light Shafts, Reflections, Ambient Occlusion, PhysX off
• Metro 2033
  • High Settings: (High Quality, MSAA 4x, 4x AF, Advanced DOF, Tessellation)
• Unigine Heaven Benchmark 2.5
  • High Settings: (High Quality, Normal Tessellation, 8x AF, 4x AA)
• Crysis 2
  • High Quality, 4xAA, DirectX 11 features, Edge AA, Normal Resolution Textures

Video Card Test Products

• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 Reference Design (675 MHz GPU/1350 MHz Shader/1800 MHz vRAM - Forceware 285.62)
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Reference Design (822 MHz GPU/1645 MHz Shader/2100 MHz vRAM - Forceware 285.62)
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 Reference Design (732 MHz GPU/1464 MHz Shader/1900 MHz vRAM - Forceware 285.62)
• ATI Radeon HD 6850 Reference Design (775 MHz GPU/1000 MHz vRAM - ATI Catalyst Driver 11.12)
• PowerColor PCS+ HD6950 Vortex II (850 MHz GPU/1300MHz vRAM - ATI Catalyst Driver 11.12)
• XFX 7770 Black Super Overclocked Edition with Double Dissipation (1120 MHz GPU/1300 MHz vRAM - ATI Driver 8.932.5-120116a-131942C-ATI)

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