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 MSI R9 290X Gaming LE 4GB ($380)Shadow of Mordor on MSI GTX 770 Lightning 2GB ($245)Shadow of Mordor on MSI R9 285 Gaming 2GB ($240)Shadow of Mordor on ASUS R7 240 DDR3 2GB ($70)Shadow of Mordor on Integrated Graphics

4K:

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 285 Gaming 2GB ($240)

Gaming: GRID Autosport Power and Overclocking
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  • FourEyedGeek - Tuesday, January 10, 2017 - link

    Wow, such a rebel, you are inspiring!
  • pentiuman - Sunday, March 26, 2017 - link

    I agree w/ Bullwinkle! I have referred to this website occasionally, but just joined this website to make this post. I have 2 systems, and the older one runs a Core2-quad Q6600 - that idles under 5 % usage, according to Task Manager! It's on both Windows XP and Windows 7 on seperate HD's. I really like my XP install for several reasons: 1. My old HP Laser printer works w/ it, 2. XP doesn't take up much space - I have dozens of programs installed on a 120GB drive. 3. It is very familiar to previous Window versions, so I don't have to learn even more new ways just to do the same tasks. 4. Although Microsoft left us w/ no further updates, XP's support by hardware manufacturers continue! Next time you're at a tech store, read the driver compatibilities. 5. Although I use mainly CD's, I have more digital music rights and options! 6. WinXP works w/ my backup software, my Microsoft Office suites, and old games. 7. Despite what Microsoft wants you to believe, an up to date antivirus program, reasonably careful Internet-based program usage, and customized program installs, means I hardly ever have any virus or malware issues.
    - Microsoft is up to something, when they give away Windows 10, and prevent us from using anything but Windows 10, starting w/ Kaby Lake and AMD Ruyzen. Why? Question authority.
  • MonkeyPaw - Tuesday, January 3, 2017 - link

    You are using an operating system that has been EOLed on hardware that has been EOLed. Besides, XP was the first OS to start phoning home, so you might want to hunt down a copy of Windows 2000.
  • Bullwinkle J Moose - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    MonkeyPaw

    Volume Licensed copies of XP-SP1 did not contain the Phone Home activation DRM and could easily be slipstreamed to SP2 or SP3 versions

    Any remaining microsoft components could easily be blocked with an aftermarket firewall so there is really no need for Windows 2000 just to avoid phoning home

    End of Life for XP is the day I can no longer block a persistent threat

    End of Life for 7/8 and 10 is the day they were released as I still cannot block the persistent threats imposed by the weaponized spyware and malware that Microsoft simply calls DRM for Legal Reasons
  • Achaios - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    Dear, Bullwinkle J Moose, since you are so concerned with NSA snooping on you, I'd like to inform you that North Korea and China are the two regions of the world where Windows XP is the most widely used operating system.

    I don't even need to explain to you why NK and China are prime targets of electronic surveillance and espionage by the US of A and other actors. That means, Windows XP is the worse operating system to run as almost every single espionage tool in the US arsenal is made specifically to target Windows XP PC's, amongst other OS' and so-called "unknown" OS'.
  • Bullwinkle J Moose - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    Dear Achaios
    every single espionage tool in the US arsenal will fail on a Windows XP box that is set up properly and used in the same manner

    It takes a lot of research to get it right and have reliable/repeatable results and it is not recommended for all the wannabe experts at this site, but the results speak for themselves

    NO persistent threat has been found that can wreck this XP installation and I check out new threats quite often

    It is a read only OS when using Driveshield
    Flash and java are disabled and Silverlight and Net Framework are not allowed!
    Everything including the antivirus is blocked from sending or receiving in the aftermarket firewall
    Only a secure browser is allowed Internet access
    Nothing is allowed to update over the Internet!
    If I need AV updates, I download the complete updated installer to a clean system and install it offline
    Portable utilities are available to close most remaining security vulnerabilities quickly

    It is not used for banking or other sensitive input
    That's what a fresh copy of Linux LIVE is for!

    But it is great for studying malware/extortionware and any other threats without getting hosed by the worst of the worst hackers on the planet

    It is SAFE for what it does!

    For other things (gaming or banking), I have several other operating systems on several thumbdrives, hard drives and SSD's

    I can switch eSATA and USB drives quickly while rebooting and never rely on dualboot drives for reliability purposes

    Leaving 1st boot drive blank in the BIOS means it will just boot to whatever drive is connected (SATA OR USB)
  • maximumGPU - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    let me get this right. You have a severely locked down EOL OS that has very limited usability except for niche things like studying malware and you're claiming kaby lake is a waste of money because you can't make it work on that os?
    hope this will help:
    INTEL AND THE REST OF THE WORLD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR USE CASE, THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR YOU.

    ps: i seriously doubt any foreign government gives a sh*t about your pron viewing habits either. Stop trolling.
  • Shadow7037932 - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    >every single espionage tool in the US arsenal will fail on a Windows XP box that is set up properly and used in the same manner

    If you believe that, I got a bridge to sell you...
  • tech6 - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    @Bullwinkle Moose: If you're still running Windows XP then you are so vulnerable that you are not blocking ANY malware, let alone state sponsored players.
  • close - Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - link

    @Bullwinkle J Moose, I have an XP that I desperately want to keep using but I need assistance in securing it. Mind if you give me a hint with what you've done? I run SP3 but if needed I can upgrade to SP2.

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