The Test
For this test we used the same settings we used for our article on the GeForce GTX 260 and 280, but in consideration of the performance level of the card being tested, we’ve added 1680x1050 to the 1920x1200 and 2560x1600 resolutions. The usual new drivers required by the new GPUs also enter into the picture.
Test configuration:
- Asus P5E3 Deluxe (Intel X38)
- Intel Core 2 Quad QX6850 (3 GHz)
- Crucial 2 x 1 GB DDR3 1333 MHz 7-7-7-20
- Western Digital WD5000AAKS
- Asus 12x DVD player
- Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W
- Windows XP, Vista, Vista SP1
- ForceWare 177.39 beta (9800 GTX +)
- ForceWare 177.34 beta (260 GTX and 280 GTX under Vista)
- ForceWare 177.26 beta (280 GTX under XP)
- ForceWare 175.16 WHQL (9800 GTX, 9800 GX2, 8800 Ultra)
- Catalyst 8.22 beta (HD 4850)
- Catalyst 8.6 WHQL (HD 3870)
- Catalyst 8.5 WHQL (HD 3870 X2)