Graphics Performance and Encoding

The 3DMark benchmarks, published by FutureMark, are probably the most widely quoted gaming performance benchmarks available. While the benchmarks are based on game sequences written by FutureMark to reveal subtle differences in gaming performance, they still have to be considered synthetic benchmarks. They are useful for broad Graphics comparisons, but they are no substitute for benchmarks with real gaming engines that are currently being played.

3DMark06 was recently introduced and you can find more in-depth information about this new 3DMark at in the AnandTech article Futuremark's Latest Attempt: 3DMark06 Tested.

3DMark03 Performance

3DMark05 Performance

3DMark06 Performance

You would expect the most recent and most feature-rich cards to distance themselves from the competition in the most recent updates of 3DMark. That is exactly what happens. The latest, greatest X1900XT is only about 1500 points ahead in 3DMark03, but it grows to a 30% lead (10657 vs. 7698) in 3DMark05 and a similar 30% lead in the latest 3Dmark06. However, comparing apples to apples (the A8R32MVP running an MSI 7800GTX to NVIDIA boards running a 7800GTX), results were too close to call an advantage for the NVIDIA or ATI chipset boards.

MPEG-4 Encoding Performance - 'Sum of All Fears' Ch. 9

Encoding results should not be affected by the graphics card used during the encoding benchmarks. This is demonstrated again by the archive test results for AutoGK using an AMD 4000+ processor with a wide assortment of video cards. The performance range of those encoding tests is just 48.1 to 48.9 - a difference form high to low of just 0.8 frames. Clearly, the biggest influence on this encoding benchmark is the CPU used for testing.

General Performance Standard Gaming Performance
Comments Locked

65 Comments

View All Comments

  • Spinne - Monday, March 6, 2006 - link

    NewEgg still doesn't have them in stock, neither does Monarc Computers. Wonder how long it'll be before they get them and the prices drop.
  • dennis hs - Sunday, March 5, 2006 - link

    I've just gotten this mobo.. It's pretty sweet! I really like the ALC882 onboard sound! It's really crispy and all good :D

    Overall I don't have any issues with it. It's a damn good mobo!

    [vietnamese hooker mode on]
    " Me love it longtime :) "
    [vietnamese hooker mode off]
  • tonser - Friday, March 3, 2006 - link

    It is nice that manufactors listen, but why do they still bring out Motherboards for SLI and Crossfire, where the normal PCI cannot be used with their heigh end grafic cards - I am wondering ?
  • yacoub - Thursday, March 2, 2006 - link

    This board gets an official "daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, Gina!" rating.
    Holy crap it flies with an X1900XT!
  • theOracle - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - link

    In the table - "PEG Bugger Length"
  • Wesley Fink - Monday, March 6, 2006 - link

    Corrected the Brokeback Mountain reference
  • DigitalFreak - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - link

    No one has any RD580 boards in stock in the US. Hell, Newegg doesn't even have any listed! Looks like another classic paper launch to me.
  • glynor - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - link

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82...">Oh, and how about from Newegg here
  • SLIM - Wednesday, March 1, 2006 - link

    http://www.antaresdigital.com/customer/product.php...">1
    or
    http://www.atacom.com/program/print_html_new.cgi?&...">2

    Please get a clue before posting. All these people complaining about not making proper comparisons because Anandtech went the extra step of testing the latest vid card from ati on their latest chipset in ADDITION to making a very fair comparison with what nvidia has to offer currently.

    Nice article, too bad people don't pay attention to the graphs before they complain about them.
  • DigitalFreak - Thursday, March 2, 2006 - link

    Moron. Did you happen to notice the "Out Of Stock" button?

    And what's with the bitching about proper comparisons, blah blah blah? Reply to the wrong thread, did we?

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now