NVIDIA's GeForce 8800 (G80): GPUs Re-architected for DirectX 10
by Anand Lal Shimpi & Derek Wilson on November 8, 2006 6:01 PM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Half Life 2: Episode One Performance
Having just visited Valve to discuss their multi-core and multithreading plans, it's interesting to consider their claims that they are more CPU limited than GPU limited. The only one of these high-end graphics configurations that isn't completely GPU limited at the tested resolutions is the 8800 GTX SLI setup, which is CPU limited to approximately 230 frames per second. Apparently, Valve intends to make a lot more use of your CPU in the near future, since we're still testing Source engine performance without multithreading support.
Besides the impressively expensive 8800 GTX SLI, even the slowest of the tested configurations is able to run at 2560x1600 4xAA with reasonable performance. A single 7900 GTX might be a bit choppy, although disabling antialiasing should cure that problem, but some levels and areas in Episode One should have lower overall frame rates than this particular demo script. In that case, the single 8800 GTX once again ties X1950 XTX CrossFire for second place, with 7900 GTX SLI trailing by 15%-20%. 8800 GTS comes next, outperforming all of the remaining single card offerings.
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aweigh - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
You can just use the program DX Tweaker to enable Triple Buffering in any D3D game and use your VSYNC with negligable performance impact. So you can play with your VSYNC, a high-res and AA as well. :)aweigh - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
I'm gonna buy an 88 specifically to use 4x4 SuperSampling in games. Why bother with MSAA with a card like that?DerekWilson - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
Supersampling can make textures blurry -- especially very detailed textures.And the impact will be much greater with the use of longer more detailed pixel shaders (as the shaders must be evaluated at every sub-pixel in supersample).
I think transparency / adaptive AA are enough.
On your previous comment, I don't think we're to the point where we can hit triple buffering, vsync, high levels of AA AND high resolution (2560x1600) without some input lag (triple buffering plus vsync with framerates less than your refresh rate can cause problems).
If you're talking about enabling all these options on a lower resolution lcd panel, then I can definitely see that as a good use of the hardware. And it might be interesting to look at more numbers with these type of options enabled.
Thanks for the suggestion.
aweigh - Saturday, November 11, 2006 - link
I never knew that about SuperSampling. Is it something similar to Quincux blurring? And would using a negative LOD via RivaTuner/nHancer counteract the effect?How about NVIDIA's Digital Sharpness setting in Color Correction? I've found a smidge of sharpening can do wonders to improve overall clarity.
By the way, when you said Adaptive AA, were you referring to ATI cards?
Unam - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
Derek,Saw your comment regarding the rationale for the test resolution, while I understand your reasoning now, it still begs the question how many of your readers have 30" LCD flat panels?
DerekWilson - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
There might not be many out there right now, but it's still the right test platform for G80. We did test down to 1600x1200, so people do have information if they need it.But it speaks to who should own an 8800 GTX right now. It doesn't make sense to spend that much money on a part if you aren't going to get anything out of it with your 1280x1024 panel.
Owners of a 2560x1600 panel will want an 8800 GTX. Owners of an 8800 GTX will want a 2560x1600 panel. Smooth framerates with the ability to enable 4xAA in every game that allowed it is reason enough. People without a 2560x1600 panel should probably wait until prices come down on the 8800 GTX or until games that are able to push the 8800 GTX harder to buy the card.
Unam - Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - link
Derek,A follow up to testing resolutions, the FPS numbers we see in your articles, are they maximum, minimum or average?
Unam - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
Who the heck runs 2560x1600? At 4XAA? Come on guys, real world benchmarks please!DerekWilson - Friday, November 10, 2006 - link
we did:1600x1200, 1920x1440, and even 1280x1024 in Oblivion
dragonsqrrl - Thursday, August 25, 2011 - link
....lol, owned.