Gaming Benchmarks (Cont.)

Let's continue with the next games we have selected, being X³: Reunion and Quake 4. Both games which are very popular amongst gamers and that will give a good idea on the performance delivered by the Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS graphics accelerator. Again we have one game using the DirectX and the other using the OpenGL technology. This has some impact on the performance and gaming experience with these games. The goal of each technology is to provide stunning gaming experience with awesome looking visual graphics and physics. So, load em up, and start your 3D engines....

EgoSoft X³: Reunion

Following up on our gaming overview, we use one of the newer games which goes by the name, X³: Reunion. This is a sequel to the award winning X²: The Threat game. Quite some extensive development has gone into the X³ engine, making use of DirectX 9.0 technology, to create dramatic visual effects and stunningly realistic starships. Coupled with the massively enhanced artificial life system, X³: Reunion will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a player's action really can shape the future of the universe. Newcomers will enjoy the additions to the already graphically impressive, almost living X³ Universe, while veterans can expect new construction options and an improved physics model.

Gaming Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/No AF	85.277	80.188
2x AA/4x AF	83.440	75.417
4x AA/8x AF	82.852	71.373
8x AA/16x AF	N/A	66.947
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/No AF	83.469	71.327
2x AA/4x AF	79.315	64.675
4x AA/8x AF	76.999	59.128
8x AA/16x AF	N/A	54.502
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Looking at the X3: Reunion game, the results are in favor of the multi-GPU config build around the GeForce 7950 GT accelerator. The Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS shows to be in second position and marks lower frame rate scores consistently. When we go enabling the AntiAliasing functionality, the SLI config made around the GeForce 7950 GT can keep up, while the GTS starts to fall behind. Although the BLISS 8800S GT accelerator shows its real potential by showing stunning game play results and performance figures. If we look at the technology behind the game, namely a 3D engine based upon the DirectX 9.0 specifications it is clear that the dual GeForce 7950 GT setup takes the lead on this one.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/No AF	65.043	48.625
2x AA/4x AF	58.387	41.726
4x AA/8x AF	47.425	36.837
8x AA/16x AF	N/A	29.512
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Also when looking at the HD gaming score, a similar conclusion can be drawn. The Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS doesn't do badly at all, but when it is put against a SLI system it can't keep up. Of course when you would start comparing all the aspects it all comes down on the available vertex and pixel shaders. And at this point the dual G71 power comes out on top as it features more raster operation units to get the job done. Of course the GeForce 8800 GTX might just change that as it comes with 32 more stream processors. The BLISS 8800 GTS delivers awesome frame rates as a single GPU solution and has the edge on visual image quality.

Raven Software Quake 4

As we want to have a good mix of games, 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 actually developed by id Software itself but instead it outsourced the 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.

Gaming Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/-- AF	213.5	191.0
2x AA/-- AF	198.2	169.1
4x AA/-- AF	171.2	143.7
8x AA/-- AF	74.5	97.8
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/-- AF	195.9	174.4
2x AA/-- AF	181.2	133.7
4x AA/-- AF	138.8	109.8
8x AA/-- AF	48.5	69.2
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

When looking at the Quake 4 gaming results we can see that these follow the same logic as we have encountered with Doom 3. Since both games are using the same 3D engine developed by id Software it doesn't come as a surprise. Both games use the OpenGL technology to bring the action alive. The frame rates are showing the same trend between both cards, but clearly showing the multi-GPU version as being superior. Once we up the stakes by enabling the AntiAliasing feature, the Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS comes forward as the winner and able to deliver smoother game play and sharper visual sceneries.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	BLISS 7950 GT (2x, SLI)	BLISS 8800 GTS (Single)
No AA/-- AF	128.8	97.4
2x AA/-- AF	100.4	70.0
4x AA/-- AF	60.4	51.2
8x AA/--AF	N/A	24.8
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Looking upon the figures with the widescreen HD resolution, we can draw the same conclusion. Initially the multi-GPU setup featuring two GeForce 7950 GT's does provide higher frame rate consistently, but can keep up when we start increasing the AntiAliasing capabilities. With going for the maximum AntiAliasing it even couldn't run through the gaming benchmark. Again the stunning game play keeps amazing us, and with that said Quake 4 looks impressive with the BLISS 8800 GTS accelerator provided by Gainward. If you are a looking for the best visual quality available today, and you are into the HD gaming then you just have to set your mind on the GeForce 8800 series.