Synthetic Benchmarks

As usual 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 8800 GTS accelerator against our SLI setup of two GeForce 7950 GT cards provided by Gainward, and analyze the performance figures. So let's just give it a go...

Futuremark 3DMark03

To get started we first go back to actually an older benchmark suite from Futuremark. By combining full DirectX 9.0a support with completely new tests and graphics, 3DMark03 continues the legacy of being the industry standard benchmark. The high quality game tests, image quality tests, sound tests and others give you an extremely accurate overview of your system’s current gaming performance. So the synthetic analysis begins by taking a spin with 3DMark03 which is build around the DirectX 9.0 specifications, although still using quite some DirectX 8.1 features.

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	28848
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	18284
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	19234
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	11355
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	8141
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	24306
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	14473
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	16079
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9511
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5940
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

To compare our reported results we are using the GeForce 7950 GT but in SLI mode. Our SLI config build around the GeForce 7950 GT clocks down some outstanding scores, but when looking further to the Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS it comes close although can really take the SLI down. 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 G80 based version from Gainward does a very nice job and is even able to allow a higher AntiAliasing setting. Do keep in mind that the BLISS 8800 GTS is lower clocked in terms of processing, but features a higher bandwidth throughput.

Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	14208
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	6287
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9585
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	4055
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	2341
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

You got that right, some HD gaming input as well as we are now using one of these lovely widescreen 30" LCD displays that feature an awesome resolution of 2560x1600 to experience just that extra more. And actually NVIDIA is quite a fan of these HD resolutions as they call it the Extreme High Definition experience. Again we put both our setups against each other, with once again the SLI config taking the lead. In the end it doesn't come that much as a surprise as 3DMark03 is not a full blown DirectX 9.0c benchmark suite, but rather limited to the lower versions. And to that extend the BLISS 8800 GTS is designed to fully utilize DirectX 10 features and technology.

Futuremark 3DMark05

The following version from Futuremark came as 3DMark05, and is best suited for the latest generation of DirectX 9.0 graphics cards. It is the first benchmark to require a DirectX 9.0 compliant hardware with support for Pixel Shaders 2.0 or higher! By combining high quality 3D tests, CPU tests, feature tests, image quality tools, and much more, 3DMark05 is a premium benchmark for evaluating the latest generation of gaming hardware. In fact 3DMark05 is the answer to the continuously growing challenge in benchmarking. Designed for higher image quality and the new processing capabilities, it will show some input and what is possible with compliant hardware.

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	14501
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	12342
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	13716
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	11340
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9872
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	13086
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	10489
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	12274
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9580
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	7845
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

We would like to mention that as of Futuremark 3DMark05, the graphics processing capabilities are really making the difference on the benchmarks scores, and the CPU becomes less significant in the overall performance indication. Yes, it is still important but doesn't make or break the final score. The BLISS 8800 GTS shows to be almost on par with the dual GeForce 7950 GT config, but is trailing slightly behind. Of course the SLI has the edge with the higher clock speeds, memory throughput, raw processing and shader power compared to the BLISS 8800 GTS accelerator. Although, you can already figure that some overclocking on the GTS could bring down the SLI leadership.

Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT 512MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	8475
4x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	5886
8x AA/16x AF	550/1400MHz (Ref - 2x, SLI)	N/A
	BLISS 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	8480
4x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5294
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	3519
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

As we started the High Definition gaming discussion, it is only natural to also take that approach when looking at the performance results reported by 3DMark05. Actually it is the first time the Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS came out on top and beat the SLI system. Yeah it is only a minor difference which you can neglect but it does proof that the G80 technology can take on a similarly clocked dual G71 system. With widescreen gaming becoming more popular each day it does show that the GeForce 8800 series have set a new dimension on the HD experience. It should be very interesting to see the real DirectX 10 performance using the G80 processing capabilities, together with the Extreme HD stunning visual quality.