Gaming Benchmarks (Cont.)

Let's continue with the next games we have selected, being Doom 3 and Quake 4. Both games who are very popular amongst gamers and that will give a good idea on the performance delivered by the GeForce 7800 series. What is different with the previous games titles is actually the 3D engine which is build around the OpenGL specifications, so no DirectX technology.

Next on our list of favorite games is Doom 3 developed by id Software. Doom 3 is quite possibly the best looking game ever, thanks to the brand new 3D graphics engine used to generate its convincingly lifelike, densely atmospheric, and surprisingly expansive environments. At the same time, when you look past the spectacular appearance, you'll find a conventional, derivative shooter. Doom 3 is essentially a remake of the original Doom, though series fans will find reimagined versions of almost every monster from both previous versions in the new sequel.

Doom 3 - 1024x768 Gaming Results

Gaming Results - 1024x768 - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
	e-GeForce 7800 GS SC	BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden
No AA	84.2 fps	79.7 fps
2x AA	82.9 fps	79.2 fps
4x AA	73.7 fps	78.1 fps

Doom 3 - 1280x1024 Gaming Results

Gaming Results - 1280x1024 - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
	e-GeForce 7800 GS SC	BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden
No AA	82.3 fps	79.5 fps
2x AA	73.3 fps	77.7 fps
4x AA	55.5 fps	68.1 fps

When looking at the game play results we noticed that the reported frame rates are quite within range for both cards. Although when going for the higher resolutions the real power of the G71 chips surfaces and leaves the e-GeForce 7800 GS SuperClock well behind. A similar logical conclusion can be made when AA is enabled; the newer Gainward BLISS 7800 GS+ Silent powered by the G71 core comes out on top once again. It certainly proves that the extra 8 pipelines make the difference as the Gainward card is slightly slower clocked, but can still outrun its counterpart.

Well as before, we just had to give Quake 4 a spot in the gaming analysis. Quake 4 is based upon id Software's revolutionary Doom 3 technology. Furthermore, Quake 4 wasn't even developed by id Software internally; it instead outsourced game development to the capable minds at Raven Software, who have turned in a fantastic looking game with a great single-player campaign. The multiplayer, however, is underwhelming. Quake was among the first PC shooters to let you take your multiplayer matches onto the Internet, and over the years, the series has become synonymous with great technology and exciting multiplayer.

Quake 4 - 1024x768 Gaming Results

Gaming Results - 1024x768 - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
	e-GeForce 7800 GS SC	BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden
No AA	89.1 fps	84.0 fps
2x AA	85.7 fps	83.6 fps
4x AA	75.8 fps	79.3 fps

Quake 4 - 1280x1024 Gaming Results

Gaming Results - 1280x1024 - Intel P4 3.0GHz - 1GB RAM
	e-GeForce 7800 GS SC	BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden
No AA	85.5 fps	83.7 fps
2x AA	77.3 fps	80.0 fps
4x AA	64.1 fps	72.4 fps

The Quake 4 gaming results show much similarities towards what we saw with Doom 3. This shouldn't surprise you as both are based upon the same 3D engine developed by id Software. The frame rates are very close between both cards, but once we up the stakes by enabling the AA feature, the BLISS 7800 GS+ Golden Sample pulls away. So again the Gainward version of the GeForce 7800 GS remains the card to beat... It does show that again the G71 core is certainly doing well as well in relation to the older AGP interface.