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. We will reboot our system each time for each of the four synthetic API's used and leave all processes running in the background. We put the Gainward BLISS 7950 GT Golden Sample against the reference card provided by NVIDIA, and analyze the performance figures. Looking at the processing core, both of these card draw their power from the G71 chip but with slightly different settings linked to core and memory clock speeds.

Futuremark 3DMark03

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	17505
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	10194
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB GS	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	18257
4x AA/16x AF	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	10669

We are starting the synthetic analysis by taking a spin with 3DMark03 which is build around the DirectX 9.0 specifications, although still using quite some DirectX 8.1 features. To compare our reported results we are using the GeForce 7950 GT as reference. The reference GeForce 7950 GT from NVIDIA clocks down some outstanding scores, but when looking further to the Gainward Golden Sample it just crushes these. As 3DMark03 is somehow CPU depending, the scores delivered by both cards are depending somehow a bit on the system itself and not only related to the graphics accelerator unit. However it clearly shows that the enhanced version from Gainward does the job a bit better and faster.

Futuremark 3DMark05

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	8548
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	6963
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB GS	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	8886
4x AA/16x AF	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	7238

The first benchmark suite to require a DirectX 9.0 compliant hardware with support for Pixel Shaders 2.0 or higher came with the introduction of 3DMark05! What also needs to be mentioned is that as of Futuremark 3DMark05, the graphics processing capabilities are really making the difference on the benchmarks scores. The BLISS 7950 GT Golden Sample shows its superiority, and leaves the GeForce 7950 GT trailing behind. Of course it has the edge with the higher clock speeds, memory throughput, raw processing and shader power when comparing to the reference board. And, there is no doubt in our minds that the BLISS 7950 GT performance should be in close range to the GeForce 7900 GTX accelerator as well.

Futuremark 3DMark06

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	5491
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	N/A
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB GS	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	5740
4x AA/16x AF	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	N/A

Going down the list, we have 3DMark06 which was only released at the beginning of this year. The 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 the BLISS 7950 GT Golden Sample takes the lead and reaches a higher score. The slightly boosted core and memory clock speed didn't miss their target for which they gotten raised, and that is delivering better performance. Certainly the higher memory bandwidth does make a difference when looking at frame buffering and shader intensive tasks.

Massive AquaMark 3

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 7950 GT 512MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	116315
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - Single)	92750
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB GS	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	119613
4x AA/16x AF	580/1500MHz (Ref - Single)	96734

And to end our synthetic analysis, AquaMark 3 was used to give a final impression on the performance difference between the reference GeForce 7950 GT and Golden Sample edition designed by Gainward. The GeForce 7950 GT nails down an excellent score but can't hold its position against the BLISS 7950 GT with slightly higher clock settings. And when enabling AntiAliasing, the true power of the new GeForce 7950 GT surfaces, showing that the G71 core is scalable for higher performance when required. Since AquaMark 3 has been around for quite some time, the main driving force behind relies a lot on the CPU power. But it clearly shows that Gainward has a real winner in their ranks with the BLISS 7950 GT Golden Sample edition!