GeForce GTX 285: 55nm Enabling Higher Performance
by Derek Wilson on January 15, 2009 9:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Age of Conan Performance
Age of Conan is our only MMO test both because it is very easy to benchmark and because it is graphically intensive as far as modern MMOs go even without DX10. The opening section of the game is restricted to just the player, so we are able to benchmark without the interference of other gamers. This also happens to be one of two test we are running that favor AMD hardware (the other test is Race Driver GRID).
At 2560x1600, the GeForce GTX 285 splits the difference between the stock clocked GTX 280 and the Radeon HD 4870 1GB. At this res, SLI and CrossFire offer more robust and reliable performance than single cards, but 30 fps isn't necessarily required for a good experience with this MMO as long as framerates are smooth (which they are with the GTX 285 and the Radeon HD 4870 1GB).
Looking at the rest of the tests, we can see that the ~$380 GeForce GTX 285 is on par with the 4870 1GB (which can be had for about $250). Price wise, the competition with the GTX 285 is closer the more expensive Radeon HD 4870 X2 (which can be had for about $430 though some mail in rebate offers can net a better deal). The single card CrossFire solution provides much higher performance than the GTX 285 for the extra cash here.
As for the performance improvement over the stock clocked GTX 280 ranges from about 8% to a little over 10%, which is actually pretty good for the overclock we've got.
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crimson117 - Thursday, January 15, 2009 - link
If we tell him, will he help us stop Fatass?Stonedofmoo - Thursday, January 15, 2009 - link
...Could Anantech post a review of the 55nm GTX 260's? In other reviews I have seen it appears the 65nm & 55nm GTX 260's use the same amount of idle power which is odd and at odds with the pattern we have seen with the 285&295 cards at 55nm.Stonedofmoo - Thursday, January 15, 2009 - link
Thank you for posting a more comprehensive review this time compared to the GTX 295 review posted earlier this week.The power and heat statistics are very useful and helps provide the information we need to make a decision.
Keep up the good work!
SiliconDoc - Monday, January 19, 2009 - link
I note Derek doesn't mention if PhysX is enabled or disabled in the NV CP, nor in Crysis for instance.I do wonder - since it could take a few frames from the NV cards. I wonder why that whole deal is SILENCE.
I noted one comment "still shoving PhysX down our throats".
I know I used to see HERE, "PhysX is disabled" before they got to the fps testing.
At other sites, they claim "enthusiast settings" in Crysis for instance, even on a few charts here - meaning as the charts here say and as it is misspelled here "Physics" is ON.
So, I wonder how that whole deal is in this bench set.
I suppose it's left on for NV, then when the red card turn comes, a simple click and no problem - no PhysX - and no couple or a dozen framerate hit either.
Sorry, I certainly can't say good job.
hk6900 - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - link
Remove yourself from the gene pool, retardTheDoc9 - Thursday, January 15, 2009 - link
This review was much better than the original gtx 295 review. Every question I had about these cards was answered and I was able to decide which will be my next purchase.