GTX 285 Real World Test (Far Cry 2)

[mechan]

Dear All,

I thought I'd share my results using a GTX 285 in a real world scenario. In summary, I think it's a great card that overclocks pretty well out-of-the-box and allows me to play Far Cry 2 with everything maxed out and 4xAA on my 30" Apple Cinema Display. FPS minimum is 24, but on average it is a very enjoyable 40.

Although I know that 60 is ideal for FPS, I couldn't ask more than the above from a 353$ upgrade of a sort of non-enthusiast PC.

Application
Far Cry 2: DX10, 2560 x 1600, 4x AA, Ultra Detail (Everything maxed out), Vsync Off
Vista x64 Ultimate SP1
Forceware Drivers 180.22
The data shown is from rivatuner running in the background and it is the 2nd hour of a 2-hour gaming session.

Hardware Setup
MB: Asus P5W DH Deluxe @ 333Mhz FSB
CPU: Intel C2D E6600 @ 3.0GHz - 1.35 VCore
RAM: 2x Corsair CM2X1024-6400 @ 416.8 Mhz (CL5) (4:5 Ratio to FSB) - 1.9V
GFX: XFX GTX 285 (Overclocked with Rivatuner to 694/1584/1296)
Other: Creative SB X-Fi Xtrememusic sound card, WD Raptor HD, Corsair HX620 PSU

See results below. Feel free to throw any comments you may have!

- Filippo

 

[captainoats]

I am planning to get the GTX285 as well. You managed to overclock your vanilla XFX GTX 285 a little bit pased the XXX version right? Thats what killing me right now. Not sure if I should spend the extra for the XXX version or just save the cash and stick with Vanilla(stock). Then theres the EVGA Vanilla 285 which is 20 bucks more than the XFX Vanilla 285 but has the step-up program. HELP!!!!

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

That performance seems iffy to me...

My cousin with 2 8800 GTS 512 MBs overclocked past 9800 GTX+ speeds with an E6750 @ 3.6 and 4GB of fast RAM could not max out Far Cry @ 1920x1200.

 

[rescawen]

GTX 286 overclocked beats em but the unoverclocked seems a bit weird

 

[mechan]

The 285 GTX works fine in FC2, but if overclocked in The WItcher it tends to overheat (if the fan is set on auto) and artifacts become visibile once the card reaches 82-83C. The only ways to avoid that are to:
- Not overclock the card
- Change the fan profile from auto to around 70/75% duty cycle (tends to become noisy)
- Improve case airflow even further

Ciao,
F

 

[mactronix]

There is more performance in your CPU if you want it you know, seems a shame to OC the GPU but not the CPU.

Mactronix

 

[mechan]

CPU is actually a 2.4 already running at 3Ghz... going beyond that doesn't give me 100% stability and I prefer avoiding that.

F

 

[mactronix]

Is your Vcore standard or have you upped that as well ? I remember reading how those chips are good for up to 1.45. Dont take it as gospel though i dont want to be responsable for you frying your chip

I know what you mean though im running a e4600 and it is at 2.8 at the min, i have had it at 3.2 with no worries but i have some issues with stability that are easy enough to fix just havent go around to opening up the case and switching the jumpers yet.

Mactronix

 

[mechan]

There you go...

I do read that people can pull off 400x8 @ 1.45v on the e6600 but I, for one, have had trouble doing that while keeping a stable system (and yes my cooling is fine and yes my RAM works perfectly at, say, 400x7). I am pretty happy right now with a completely stable +25% overclock at stock voltages.