Gaming Benchmarks (Cont.)

You thought it was finished...didn't you? Well, since we had some extra time and really enjoyed playing with the Gainward BLISS 8800 GT Golden Sample video card, it was only logic to include some extra games. Since both X³: Reunion and Prey have the possibility to be run as a benchmark, we just wanted to take these games for a spin. Both games are following the DirectX technology outlined by Microsoft, and each has their own 3D gaming engine for rendering the different gaming sceneries. The goal of each 3D engine is to provide stunning gaming experience with awesome looking visual graphics and physics. So time to sit back and get ready to unleash these games, and show the goodies...

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 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	93.168 fps	85.471 fps
2x AA/4x AF	90.754 fps	79.354 fps
4x AA/8x AF	88.245 fps	83.328 fps
8x AA/16x AF	85.995 fps	72.647 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	88.738 fps	82.134 fps
2x AA/4x AF	83.652 fps	75.258 fps
4x AA/8x AF	78.724 fps	69.424 fps
8x AA/16x AF	74.571 fps	59.876 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Looking at the X³: Reunion game, the results are in favor of the Ultra config build around the GeForce 8800 Ultra edition accelerator. The GeForce 8800 GT from Gainward 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 GeForce 8800 series, with the Ultra dropping less fast. And the BLISS 8800 GT Golden Sample 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 GeForce 8800 Ultra setup takes the lead on this one as it features more processing logic in the form of stream processors and a superior memory interface.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	68.684 fps	61.654 fps
2x AA/4x AF	60.948 fps	53.714 fps
4x AA/8x AF	53.387 fps	44.875 fps
8x AA/16x AF	46.206 fps	36.659 fps
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 GT Golden Sample doesn't do badly at all, but when it is put against a GeForce 8800 Ultra version 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 G80 Ultra power comes out on top as it features more raster operation units to get the job done. Of course the GeForce 8800 GT is penalized by having 16 stream processors less than the Ultra version, though have the more optimized G92 graphics core. The BLISS 8800 GT Golden Sample delivers awesome frame rates as a single GPU solution with excellent visual image quality.

Humand Head Prey

And finally to end a newer game, Prey tells the story of Tommy, a Cherokee garage mechanic stuck on a reservation going nowhere. Abducted along with his people to a menacing mothership orbiting Earth, he sets out to save himself and his girlfriend and eventually his planet. In Prey, players enter a living spaceship which enslaves alien races and devours humans for lunch. A unique twist on the first person shooter genre, Prey features such innovations as the ability to walk on walls, manipulate gravity and perform a spirit walk by leaving your physical body behind. Designed by Human Head (under the direction of 3D Realms), Prey features full online support for up to eight players, utilizing the game's play innovations for unique multiplayer experiences.

Gaming Results - 1280x1024 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	198.1 fps	175.2 fps
2x AA/4x AF	167.8 fps	139.6 fps
4x AA/8x AF	153.8 fps	121.8 fps
8x AA/16x AF	46.2 fps	35.6 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.
Gaming Results - 1600x1200 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	162.3 fps	138.8 fps
2x AA/4x AF	132.5 fps	104.3 fps
4x AA/8x AF	116.6 fps	90.7 fps
8x AA/16x AF	32.3 fps	25.7 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Well we arrived at the last game we have used to check the performance delivered by the G92 based BLISS 8800 GT Golden Sample edition. With this video card having 1GB of high speed GDDR3 memory it is considered as a special version. Looking at the gaming results, we have to admit that the GeForce 8800 Ultra remains the faster part, and that the Gainward version is not up to speed in really challenging it as such. However since it is based on the optimized G92 core which is producing less heat and coming at a much reduced pricing, we can only be in favor of this evolution. In the end it is not only the performance that matters but the first thing that all potential buyers will look at is the price tag. And on that aspect the price is just right for the gaming performance that you are getting.

Gaming Results - 2560x1600 - E6700 2.66GHz - 2GB RAM
	GeForce 8800 Ultra	BLISS 8800 GT Golden
No AA/No AF	89.0 fps	73.5 fps
2x AA/4x AF	70.5 fps	54.7 fps
4x AA/8x AF	60.1 fps	46.9 fps
8x AA/16x AF	14.9 fps	11.5 fps
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

And now we just couldn't resist, so we done a final run as well at the current ultimate high definition widescreen resolution and have to admit that both cards are doing a great job. As soon as anti-aliasing is enabled and increase the performance drop is quite noticeable. So yes, these cards do quite well and actually when looking at the real competition, meaning ATI we can say that these card are doing a better job. Of course there is still some room for improvement, and we somehow guess that this will be exactly what the upcoming GeForce 9800 GX2 will bring which is coming with not one but two G92 chips. Yes, bringing once again SLI technology in a single graphics card. But until then the BLISS 8800 GT Golden Sample from Gainward is certainly very attractive product with great performance.