Test Settings
| Test System Configuration | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-980X (3.33 GHz, 12 MB Shared L3 Cache), Overclocked to 4.00 GHz at +100mV, 160 MHz BCLK |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte X58A-UD9 BIOS F3 (05/28/2010), Intel X58 Express, LGA 1366 |
| RAM | Kingston KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX (6 GB), DDR3-2000 at DDR3-1600 CAS 7-7-7-21 |
| OS Hard Drive | Western Digital Velociraptor WD3000HLFS, 300 GB, 10,000 RPM, SATA 3Gb/s, 16 MB cache |
| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
| Power | OCZ-Z1000 1000 W Modular, ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold |
| Software | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit |
| GeForce Graphics | GeForce 258.96 |
| Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.1.1020 |
We loved performance of our recent SLI test system so much that we retained its hardware for today’s tests. Gigabyte’s X58A-UD9 sits at the heart of this system.
Drawing about the same power as our Core i7-920 when both are overclocked 4.00 GHz, the six cores of Intel’s Core i7-980X are a little overkill for games. On the other hand, overkill doesn’t bother us when power draw isn’t a problem.
Also overkill for today’s test, OCZ’s Z1000 modular power supply runs at around 89% efficiency at the load levels required for today’s system. Once again, we’re not bothered by overkill when it’s accompanied by high efficiency.
| Benchmark Configuration | |
|---|---|
| 3D Games | |
| Aliens Vs. Predator Benchmark | Alien vs Predator Benchmark Tool Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | Campaign, Act III, Second Sun (45 sec. FRAPS) Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
| Crysis | Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit executable, benchmark tool Test Set 1: Highest Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Quality, 4x AA |
| DiRT 2 | Run with -benchmark example_benchmark.xml Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
| S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat | Call Of Pripyat Benchmark version Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x MSAA |
| Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
| 3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.0.1, GPU and CPU scores |
| FurMark 1.6.5 | Stability Test, 1920x1200, 8x AA |
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Good article.
I really am a fan of ASUS' DirectCu/TOP cards.
I can't decide between the 460 and 5850 versions
I would have liked noise benchmarks.
just installed two gigabyte 460 cards in my brothers new setup, they are pretty nice! can't hear them even with the 2 fans on each and they run around 25/29 C idle, this is as far as I've gotten with tests
I really am a fan of ASUS' DirectCu/TOP cards.I can't decide between the 460 and 5850 versions
Thats a contemplative choice? Considering its not the 5830, the clear choice is the 5850.
Wow. Jetway's 33 % overclock is nSane... especially on what seems to be nVidia's reference cooler.
I wonder how many cards can reach that 900 MHz with acceptable noise and voltage levels.
This review is trying to tell us what? Higher overclocked cards give better performance? Duh?
It would have been better to see each card overclocked to it's most stable overclock first, then test the cards with all the benchmarks.
I read CPU magazine's article comparing the GTX 460's, and same conclusion. Palit is the fastest, but MSI's is the quietest and coolest.
I've been looking into getting a pair for SLI. Those that don't have extra space between their PCI Express 2.0 slots should go for the EVGA Superclocked because of the external exhaust. Those that do have space like me and prefer low noise would be better off the MSI's. Performance-wise, they're all great overclockers (every card in this review can overclock higher than Palit's factory overclock). Honestly, you really can't go wrong with any of these cards.
Honestly, you really can't go wrong with any of these cards.
Basically.
I have one gigabyte card and very happy with it. Almost complete silent at idle. and not much noise at 100% fan speed. 50% fan speed is enough to keep it around 60c in games
If you are going to use the cards in PC in your home, the less noisy and the coolest is often the best choice.
I'm fairly sure that one does support overvoltage but you have to check "unlock voltage control" and "unlock voltage monitoring" then restart the program, only reason i note this is that only a few 460's support any kind of voltage control, not that it needs it for an impressive overclock.
It's in the change log afterall
Added NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 series and MSI N460GTX Cyclone series graphics cards support (including voltag control!)
http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm
also lol voltage is typoed lol
supposedly msi has a 460 fully custom in the works that will support even memory voltage tweaking
http://forums.guru3d.com/showthrea [...] 9&t=326936
Ah, I'll be using this as reference in the future. Sometimes it's hard deciding between companies haha.
Nice article.
Nice (sub)title
I like my "Galaxy GTX 460 Super OC". Factory clocked at 810 MHz GPU, 4000MHz GDDR5. Out of the box it's faster than Palit's Sonic Platinum.
I'd still go for the MSI, since I've read that that cooler is the most silent of them all. And it's temps' are the best of all, so more OC'ing potential. Too bad you didn't include "sound" tests, I'd like to see how loud/silent other coolers get under load.
How safe is it to get the cheapest out of the lot.? Very safe i guess.. How much value is it to get the costliest.? Pretty good i guess.. So the consumer is basically safe with any choice made.. That's always a good thing.. This just may be one of those cases where one can pick a card more based on its aesthetics.. Nice huh..
MSI/Asus, the hell. .it's still a 460! nice article
I had a nvidia card once, i traded it for a ati card because the nvidia card was giving me headaches. seriously
MSI/Asus, the hell. .it's still a 460! nice article
Yes, MSI and Asus are about equal. MSI starts out cooler but has less maximum-speed cooling, Asus starts out warmer but the fan has more room to speed up. They're about the same noise level until you speed things up, in which case MSI tops out before Asus.