Synthetic Benchmarks

We start of the benchmark analysis by going through the different benchmark suites coming from Futuremark, and the discontinued AquaMark 3 program. These will provide a good indication on the game play of today's games. First we will start with 3DMark03, followed by 3DMark05 and 3DMark06, then last but not least AquaMark 3. I will reboot each time for each of the four synthetic API's used and leave all processes running in the background.

Benchmark Results - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
GeForce 7800 GS AGP	3DMark03 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref)	11565
e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock	3DMark03 Score
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	13383
BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden Sample	3DMark03 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref GS)	13846
450/1250MHz (Default)	15527
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	15806
560/1400MHz (Overclock)	17719
575/1450MHz (Max Overclock)	18001

We started the synthetic analysis by making a spin with 3DMark03 which is build around the DirectX 9.0 specifications. To compare our results we have used a GeForce 7800 GS as reference having only 16 pipelines and used the Gainward BLISS 7800 GS+ Silent in different configurations. The EVGA e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock clocks down an excellent score for a standard GeForce 7800 GS AGP, but when looking at the Gainward GS+ version which has the full 24 pipelines enabled it doesn't come close. The BLISS 7800 GS+ Silent just crushes all scores and turns out to be the fastest AGP card currently available.

Benchmark Results - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
GeForce 7800 GS AGP	3DMark05 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref)	5412
e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock	3DMark05 Score
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	6064
BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden Sample	3DMark05 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref GS)	5996
450/1250MHz (Default)	6270
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	6293
560/1400MHz (Overclock)	6553
575/1450MHz (Max Overclock)	6608

Our next run was done using 3DMark05, which is more interesting as it is the first benchmark suite that requires DirectX 9.0 compliant hardware. What needs to be mentioned is that as of 3DMark05, the graphics processing capabilities are really making the difference on the benchmarks scores. So it doesn't come as a real surprise that the Gainward BLISS 7800 GS+ does better in comparison to the GeForce 7800 GS, due to being clocked higher and having quite an advantage on processing and the memory throughput. Even underclocked the GS+ does have the advantage thanks to the full 24 pipelines to deliver stunning performance.

Benchmark Results - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
GeForce 7800 GS AGP	3DMark06 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref)	2753
e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock	3DMark06 Score
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	3213
BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden Sample	3DMark06 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref GS)	3392
450/1250MHz (Default)	3816
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	3879
560/1400MHz (Overclock)	4263
575/1450MHz (Max Overclock)	4317

Continuing our Futuremark list; we have 3DMark06 which was only released at the beginning of this year. 3DMark06 tests include all new HDR/SM3.0 graphics tests, SM2.0 graphics tests, AI and physics driven single and multiple cores or processor CPU tests and a collection of comprehensive feature tests to reliably measure next generation gaming performance today. Again we notice that the Gainward BLISS 7800 GS+ Silent takes the lead. And with the extra boost in clock rates, the Golden Sample does make it all worth while.

Benchmark Results - 1024x768 - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
GeForce 7800 GS AGP	AquaMark 3 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref)	60348
e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock	AquaMark 3 Score
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	62960
BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden Sample	AquaMark 3 Score
375/1200MHz (Ref GS)	64607
450/1250MHz (Default)	65651
460/1350MHz (SuperClock)	66172
560/1400MHz (Overclock)	66849
575/1450MHz (Max Overclock)	67350

And finally we have gotten the AquaMark 3 updated performance figures. The Gainward card once again shows off and is the fastest card around featuring the AGP interface. Even the SuperClocked version from EVGA can't keep up with the Golden Sample edition from Gainward. Once we start to overclock the card a bit we clearly see that it has some extra potential left on both core and memory. In the end it proves that using the G71 core as Gainward has done leaving it intact with 24 pipelines paid off very well as it is without a doubt the card to go for. Well done Gainward!