Synthetic Benchmarks (Cont.)

We remain still with the synthetic benchmarking of the Gainward BLISS 8600 GTS Golden Sample edition graphics card and how it stacks up against our system which features the GeForce 8600 GTS accelerator. We will go through the newest benchmark suite developed by Futuremark. Take into account that currently no DirectX 10 compatible benchmark has been released yet. But these will provide a good indication on the processing value and performance of the GeForce 8600 GTS, but next to that also on the game play of today's games. Similar to the other benchmarks we will compare both configurations 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 8600 GTS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	5710
4x AA/8x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	3978
8x AA/16x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	2908
	BLISS 8600 GTS GS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
0x AA/Optimal	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	5986
4x AA/8x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	4267
8x AA/16x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	3178
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

The latest version brings the Shader Model 3.0 into the picture, which is only available in 3DMark06 which was released at the beginning of last year. It makes you wonder when the new version will be coming, to go and use the DirectX 10 technology. Once again we see that the Gainward BLISS 8600 GTS Golden Sample edition takes the lead and reaches some very impressive scores. Wouldn't it be great to combine two of these cards and to enjoy some SLI performance? The new unified shader technology does bring some extra flexibility and also does make a lot of sense even with the current and older DirectX 9.0c games. With DirectX 10 just around the corner, the BLISS 8600 GTS is ready to take on the new games to be released...

Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
4x AA/8x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	2978
	BLISS 8600 GTS GS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
4x AA/8x AF	725/2500MHz (Ref - Single)	3329
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Benchmark Results - 2560x1600 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
4x AA/8x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	787
	BLISS 8600 GTS GS 256MB	3DMark06 Score
4x AA/8x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	927
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

You didn't have enough yet? We neither, so again we did a spin with selecting the HD resolution to sense and feel the hype around the High Definition gaming experience. We can't say it was stunning, but the card is certainly supporting this feature, although it comes a bit short in processing capability. But we are certainly convinced that the High Definition gaming is one hell of an experience and the GeForce 8600 GTS can bring that to a certain extend to any gamer out there. The image quality is outstanding, providing stunning image clarity and in that way it is an experience beyond our senses. Although if you really want to fully enjoy the full blown HD gaming, then we would rather point you to the GeForce 8800 series.

Massive AquaMark 3

One of the 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 8600 GTS 256MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	119916
4x AA/8x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	77767
8x AA/16x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	75475
	BLISS 8600 GTS GS 256MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	125048
4x AA/8x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	82938
8x AA/16x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	81240
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

A benchmark suite that has been discontinued for over a year now, but we can't just leave it out of our performance analysis. Yes, it doesn't have the most modern 3D engine but it is still able to show some really nice underwater scenery. We see that also in AquaMark 3 the pre-overclocked Gainward version is leading on the performance level. This does proof once again that the unified shader architecture can also make a difference with older 3D engines, by being able to deliver excellent performance. And although the figures are quite close, the extra clock speed does make the difference. Again the Golden Sample edition does what it takes; it makes a real winner that stands out in the crowd. Thanks Gainward for an excellent GeForce 8600 GTS giving the reference cards a run for their money.

Benchmark Results - 1600x1200 - E6300 2.80GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	97391
4x AA/8x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	58513
8x AA/16x AF	675/2000MHz (Ref - Single)	54918
	BLISS 8600 GTS GS 256MB	AquaMark 3 Score
0x AA/Optimal	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	103268
4x AA/8x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	62817
8x AA/16x AF	725/2200MHz (Ref - Single)	59466
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

While AquaMark 3 was a bit too old to offer real HD gaming experience we could up the stakes by selecting a higher resolution. The higher core and memory speed do show their benefit by clocking down each time higher benchmark results. As always the world belongs to those who dare, and in this case it belongs to Gainward. An excellent design featuring their own cooling solution and with higher clock settings to differentiate them from the competition. Along with that you get an extremely stable card, very silent and excellent gaming performance. And the most pleasant of it all is that it doesn't come at a very high price, which is a good strategy for a pre-overclocking mid-range graphics card.