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 Sparkle Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition accelerator against it smaller brother, the GeForce 8800 GTS card 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
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	19234
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	11549
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	8141
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	26453
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	16017
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	11061
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	16079
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9156
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5940
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	21644
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	12747
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	8679
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

To compare our reported results we are using the GeForce 8800 GTS, a reference NVIDIA design graphics card. Our config build around the GeForce 8800 GTS clocks down some outstanding scores, but when looking further to the Sparkle Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition just leaves it way behind in terms of raw performance. 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 Sparkle does a very nice job and is even able to allow a higher AntiAliasing setting. Do keep in mind that the Calibre 8800 GTX is higher clocked in terms of processing, and features a higher bandwidth throughput.

Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9585
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	4088
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	2341
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark03 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	13622
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	6508
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	3510
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 Sparkle Calibre 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 GTX version just has better specifications and raw power to get the job done.

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
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	13716
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	11463
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9872
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	16118
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	14737
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	13108
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	12274
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	9778
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	7845
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	15091
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	13245
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	11096
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 Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition shows to be faster in all aspects compared to GeForce 8800 GTS config, and showing the way to higher scores. Of course the GTX has the edge with the higher clock speeds, memory throughput, raw processing and shader power compared to the GeForce 8800 GTS accelerator. And moreover the Sparkle Calibre comes pre-overclocked which shows of great leadership.

Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	8480
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5377
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	3519
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark05 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	11805
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	8180
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	5457
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 there is no real difference as already shown at lower resolutions. It become clear that the Calibre 8800 GTX does have quite and edge over the GTS version, and does show when AntiAliasing is tuned up to a maximum. 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.