Synthetic Benchmarks (Cont.)

We remain still with the synthetic benchmarking of the Sparkle Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition graphics card and how it stacks up against our system which features the GeForce 8800 GTS accelerator. We will go through the newest benchmark suite developed by Futuremark, but also use the older well known AquaMark 3 software. These will provide a good indication on the processing value and performance of the GeForce 8800 GTX, but next to that also on the game play of today's games. Similar to the other benchmarks we will compare both configuration and analyze the differences related to the performance figures. So, read on and find out what it is all about...

Futuremark 3DMark06

To complete the view and Futuremark performance figures we also run a 3DMark06, which is the worldwide standard in advanced 3D game performance benchmarking. A fundamental tool for every company in the PC industry as well as PC users and gamers, 3DMark06 uses advanced real-time 3D game workloads to measure PC performance using a suite of DirectX 9.0c 3D graphics tests, CPU tests, and 3D feature tests. 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.

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	8666
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	6749
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5553
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	10883
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	8844
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	7384
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	7583
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5707
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	4243
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	9742
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	7669
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	6005
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Going down the list, we have 3DMark06 which was only released at the beginning of last year. And this is where it all comes down to; as it is more advanced and uses the DirectX 9.0c technology. We can see that the Sparkle Calibre BLISS 8800 GTX OC edition takes the lead and reaches a higher score. The GeForce 8800 GTS setup can't stand the real processing power unleashed by the fully enabled G80 core, and shows that the unified shader technology is the way forward. Certainly the higher memory bandwidth does make a difference when looking at frame buffering and shader intensive tasks. But in the end the main value driving the performance is the G80 core that lifts the Calibre 8800 GTX to the next level, and beyond the its crippled brother.

Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	5252
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	3194
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	1929
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	7074
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	4730
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	2944
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Now that we are getting a bit used to the HD resolutions and the Extreme HD experience as NVIDIA likes to call it, we can show that the Sparkle Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition does have quite an edge over the lower GTS setup. Yeah we certainly are convinced that the High Definition gaming is one hell of an experience and with the GeForce 8800 series it does turn a smile on our faces. The image quality is outstanding, providing stunning image clarity. Extreme HD will immerse you in games like never before, letting you see more of the exciting gaming action. We are sold for it, when will you?

Massive AquaMark 3

Another benchmark suite which was very popular and still is somehow, is known as AquaMark 3 and is a fully DirectX 9.0 compatible benchmark from Massive Development. Unfortunately the programmers, Massive Development, don't exist anymore but that doesn't mean it isn't a great tool. To be able to see how well a graphics card is performing under the challenging DirectX 9.0 environment, AquaMark 3 was developed. However it is not solely a DirectX 9.0 benchmark; if you are working with an older DirectX compatible graphics card, you will still be able to use it just with a lot of graphical features missing. Make no mistake, AquaMark 3 is a DirectX 9.0 benchmark, as it is based on a real game engine it has fallbacks to previous DirectX versions.

Benchmark Results - 1280x1024 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	139902
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	134211
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	117465
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	155865
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	149304
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	139491
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	127535
4x AA/8x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	117923
8x AA/16x AF	513/1584MHz (Ref - Single)	94112
	Calibre 8800 GTX 768MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	148641
4x AA/8x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	139668
8x AA/16x AF	630/1960MHz (Ref - Single)	126759
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

So finally we have gotten the AquaMark 3 updated performance figures. Once again the GeForce 8800 GT from Gainward has to recognize that it isn't faster than the GTX config. The Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition nails down an excellent score and can hold its position against the GeForce 8800 GTS which features the same advanced G80 unified shaders chip. The figures show that enabling AntiAliasing is in favor of the fully enabled G80 chip, and doesn't drop that fast in performance. 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 Sparkle has a real high performer in their ranks with the Calibre 8800 GTX OC edition!