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 Jetway Radeon HD 2900 XT 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...

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 internally; it instead outsourced 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 function, 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
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/-- AF	188.8 fps	160.1 fps
2x AA/-- AF	166.7 fps	152.2 fps
4x AA/-- AF	142.1 fps	141.5 fps
8x AA/-- AF	98.9 fps	117.7 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/-- AF	172.9 fps	156.1 fps
2x AA/-- AF	137.2 fps	141.3 fps
4x AA/-- AF	114.1 fps	129.0 fps
8x AA/-- AF	69.6 fps	93.9 fps
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 Radeon HD 2900 XT accelerator as being superior. Once we up the stakes by enabling the anti-aliasing feature, the Jetway Radeon HD 2900 XT comes even more forward as the winner and able to deliver smoother game play and sharper visual sceneries.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/-- AF	99.9 fps	124.6 fps
2x AA/-- AF	71.7 fps	95.9 fps
4x AA/-- AF	51.8 fps	79.1 fps
8x AA/-- AF	25.1 fps	46.5 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Looking upon the figures with the widescreen HD resolution, we can draw the same conclusion. Again the stunning game play keeps amazing us, and with that said Quake 4 looks impressive with the Radeon HD 2900 XT accelerator provided by Jetway. The GeForce 8800 GTS doesn't do bad at all, but is just behind in terms of frame rates reported. What should also be said is that the GTX is faster, and does do better than the Radeon HD 2900 XT graphics card. 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 which ever of the two. Indeed on this aspect we can't really pin point a winner they both have excellent visual quality.

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
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/No AF	81.157 fps	104.515 fps
2x AA/4x AF	76.294 fps	84.435 fps
4x AA/8x AF	73.335 fps	76.568 fps
8x AA/16x AF	69.520 fps	65.361 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/No AF	75.196 fps	97.471 fps
2x AA/4x AF	65.214 fps	70.025 fps
4x AA/8x AF	61.087 fps	62.925 fps
8x AA/16x AF	55.771 fps	53.287 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Looking at the X3: Reunion game, the results are in favor of the Radeon HD 2900 XT config featuring the Jetway video card. The GeForce 8800 GTS shows to be in second position and marks lower frame rate scores consistently. When we go enabling the anti-aliasing functionality, the scores are dropping for both graphics card, with the GeForce 8800 GTS dropping less fast. The Radeon HD 2900 XT edition 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 Radeon HD 2900 XT setup takes the lead on this one to a certain extend as it features more processing logic in the form of stream processors and a higher clock speed.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 GTS	Radeon HD 2900 XT
No AA/No AF	50.265 fps	66.384 fps
2x AA/4x AF	40.546 fps	41.542 fps
4x AA/8x AF	38.478 fps	38.599 fps
8x AA/16x AF	30.323 fps	29.543 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Also when looking at the HD gaming score, a similar conclusion can be drawn. The GeForce 8800 GTS doesn't do badly at all, but when it is put against a Radeon HD 2900 XT edition 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 R600 power comes out on top as it features more raster operation units to get the job done. Of course the GeForce 8800 GTS is penalized by having less stream processors, although raster operation processing units. The Radeon HD 2900 XT delivers awesome frame rates as a single GPU solution and having great visual image quality.