Download the Tom's Hardware App from the App Store
The reference for current tech news
Yes No
Signin with

Benchmark Results: Left 4 Dead

by

It’s nearly pointless to spend time analyzing performance in Left 4 Dead without anti-aliasing enabled. Our 4 GHz CPU opens up tons of headroom, but there’s still a definite ceiling that the single- and dual-Radeon HD 5870 setups run into, in addition to the GeForce GTX 295 and SLI’d GeForce GTX 285s.

The worst performer, ATI’s Radeon HD 4870 1GB, delivers in excess of 60 frames per second at 2560x1600, so let’s just move on to our AA- and AF-based numbers.

Everything here is playable enough at 1680x1050 and 1920x1200, so let’s focus on 2560x1600 for a second. The Radeon HD 4870, 4890, and GeForce GTX 285 all dip below 60 frames in this fast-paced shooter. A single Radeon HD 5870 is able to outpace a Radeon HD 4870 X2 and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 295, but is bested by a pair of GTX 285s. Not to worry, though, a pair of Radeon HD 5870s sails past the SLI’d Nvidia cards and pegs out our 4 GHz processor at two of the tested resolutions.

Share:
214
Comments
X
Submit

Comments
hispeed120 09/23/2009 4:13 AM
Hide
-20+

I'm. So. Excited.

anonymous 09/23/2009 4:15 AM
Hide
-9+

Can't wait

crosko42 09/23/2009 4:21 AM
Hide
-20+

So it looks like 1 is enough for me.. Dont plan on getting a 30 inch monitor any time soon.

jezza333 09/23/2009 4:29 AM
Hide
-20+

Looks like the NDA lifted at 11:00PM, as there's a load of reviews now just out. Once again it shows that AMD can produce a seriously killer card...

Crysis 2 on an x2 of this is exactly what I'm waiting for.

woostar88 09/23/2009 4:38 AM
Hide
-8+

This is incredible at the price point.

LORD_ORION 09/23/2009 4:39 AM
Show
tipmen 09/23/2009 4:40 AM
Hide
-20+

wait, wait, before I look can it play cry... HOLY SHIT?!

viper666 09/23/2009 4:40 AM
Show
cangelini 09/23/2009 4:43 AM
Hide
-20+

viper666 :
why didn't they thest it against a GTX 295 rather than 280??? its far superior...



Ran it against a GTX 295 and a 285 and 285s in SLI :)

Annisman 09/23/2009 4:44 AM
Hide
-2+

I refuse to buy until the 2GB versions come out, not to mention newegg letting you buy more than 1 at a time, paper launch ftl.

jasperjones 09/23/2009 4:44 AM
Hide
-15+

Thanks for the timely review. I have to say though, some of the technical details are beyond me. It'd be useful if you explained terms such as "VLIW architecture" or "tessellation engine"

viper666 09/23/2009 4:45 AM
Show
megamanx00 09/23/2009 4:48 AM
Hide
-20+

O M F G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wish the darn thing wasn't so big, but man, what a card! Now I'm thinking about a bigger case :D

Annisman 09/23/2009 4:49 AM
Hide
-17+

Oops, who am I kidding ? I just ordered 2 5870's. One Sapphire, and one HIS, seeing as how they limit you to one per customer.

falchard 09/23/2009 4:54 AM
Hide
-18+

I think most of this review has to do with how many games are optimized for nVidia. The Crytek Engine 2.0 and Source Engine are well known for heavily favoring nVidia architecture yet compose the bulk of the benchmarks. I think the fact ATI can do best in these engines when they have a detect ATI instant nerf its performance speaks measures for the actual card.

charlesxuma 09/23/2009 4:56 AM
Show
tipmen 09/23/2009 4:56 AM
Hide
-14+

Another thing is that the 5800x2 isn't out yet, now think of two of those bad boys in Crossfire.

blackbyron 09/23/2009 4:59 AM
Hide
-6+

Not bad for Crysis benchmark. I really want 5870 for my christmas present, but damn I also need to buy a new PSU.

blackbyron 09/23/2009 5:02 AM
Hide
-12+

In addition, I am impressed that the 5870 has a better power consumption and better gaming performance compare to DX10 cards. If the card is affordable I'd definite buy one.

Best offers

All about Graphics Cards
 Graphics Cards performance charts
All Graphics Cards charts

Newsletters


OK