GRID: Autosport

No graphics tests are complete without some input from Codemasters and the EGO engine, which means for this round of testing we point towards GRID: Autosport, the next iteration in the GRID and racing genre. As with our previous racing testing, each update to the engine aims to add in effects, reflections, detail and realism, with Codemasters making ‘authenticity’ a main focal point for this version.

GRID’s benchmark mode is very flexible, and as a result we created a test race using a shortened version of the Red Bull Ring with twelve cars doing two laps. The car is focus starts last and is quite fast, but usually finishes second or third. For low end graphics we test at 1080p medium settings, whereas mid and high end graphics get the full 1080p maximum. Both the average and minimum frame rates are recorded.

GRID: Autosport on ASUS GTX 980 Strix 4GB ($560) 

GRID: Autosport on MSI R9 290X Gaming LE 4GB ($380)

Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor

The final title in our testing is another battle of system performance with the open world action-adventure title, Shadow of Mordor. Produced by Monolith using the LithTech Jupiter EX engine and numerous detail add-ons, SoM goes for detail and complexity to a large extent, despite having to be cut down from the original plans. The main story itself was written by the same writer as Red Dead Redemption, and it received Zero Punctuation’s Game of The Year in 2014.

For testing purposes, SoM gives a dynamic screen resolution setting, allowing us to render at high resolutions that are then scaled down to the monitor. As a result, we get several tests using the in-game benchmark. For low end graphics we examine at 720p with low settings, whereas mid and high end graphics get 1080p Ultra. The top graphics test is also redone at 3840x2160, also with Ultra settings, and we also test two cards at 4K where possible.

Shadow of Mordor on ASUS GTX 980 Strix 4GB ($560)

Shadow of Mordor on ASUS GTX 980 Strix 4GB ($560)

Shadow of Mordor on MSI R9 290X Gaming LE 4GB ($380)

Shadow of Mordor on MSI R9 290X Gaming LE 4GB ($380)

Gaming Performance: Alien Isolation, Total War Attila, & GTA V Power Consumption and i7-6950X Overclocking
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  • mapesdhs - Thursday, June 9, 2016 - link

    Or a used 3930K, they cost diddly now. Use the cost saving on better SSDs, faster RAM, etc.
  • rtho782 - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    Wow.

    Minor performance boosts at best was expected and I could swallow that and still be excited for BDW-E.

    Minor performance boosts and a 70% price boost? I won't bother upgrading then.
  • ShieTar - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    There is no 70% price boost. The 6900K that replaces the 5960X basically sells at the same price with a good 10% performance boost.
    The 6950X needs to be compared to last generations E5-2687W V3, which still costs more than 2k$. So Intel actually hands out a 10% to 15% performance boost with a 20% price drop on that front:

    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1730?vs=135...
  • pencea - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    It's been10 days since the embargo on GTX1080 reviews was lifted and previews aside, there is still a deafening silence from Anandtech. Yes the apologists will argue Anandtech does a deeper review, give them time and all that but seriously when your review is this late, it begins to look like incompetence. Or perhaps you consider your reviews to be elitist, the holy grail among tech websites and that therefore any delay is acceptable? What pressing projects are the GPU staff working on that could explain this state of affairs?

    GET IT TOGETHER ANANDTECH YOU USED TO BE BETTER!
  • Ryan Smith - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    "there is still a deafening silence from Anandtech"

    Feedback is always appreciated. I've mentioned a few times now that it's not done yet and is still in the works. But I'm not sure what else you're looking for?
  • D. Lister - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    In other news, Guru3D has recently put up their 1070 review. Next time guys, use "Review: Part 1" in title, instead of calling it a "Preview". :P
  • retrospooty - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    He is looking for it to be done, and not "in the works". =)
  • HighTech4US - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    ^ T H I S
  • HighTech4US - Tuesday, May 31, 2016 - link

    Quote: But I'm not sure what else you're looking for?

    An actual review.
  • artk2219 - Monday, June 6, 2016 - link

    Sigh, you can't please everyone, and thank you for taking the time and effort to do these reviews in the first place. As always, I look forward to it and hope to see it whenever it's ready.

    Thank you!

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