Homeworld 2 Performance

There are two options for shadowing under Homeworld 2, and in our previous tests, the 1.1 version of HW2 would use the same rendering technique for both the 6800 series and x800 series cards (shadowing with a fragment program). But these numbers look different than what we are used to seeing, so we're wondering if the shadow map implementation isn't being used on NVIDIA hardware here (as it's faster and identical in output to the shader).

Homeworld 2
Mouse over for value graph

Homeworld 2
Mouse over for value graph

Homeworld 2
Mouse over for value graph

Homeworld 2
Mouse over for value graph
Halo Performance Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Performance
Comments Locked

46 Comments

View All Comments

  • gordon151 - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    [q]ATI Radeon X800 XT: $540
    ATI Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition: $?[/q]

    The X800 XT == X800 XT PE with respect to your prices.
  • deathwalker - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    The use of ATI catalyst 4.X drivers has proven to be a real thorn in the side of ATI card owners(in my opinion). I have a 9700Pro and the use of any catalyst driver above 3.9 results in a 3-5% performance hit regardless of the benchmark I use for measurement. I wonder if the resulting compatibility issues resolved in the 4.X series is worth the tradeoff in performance. ATI needs to remain focused on performance issues also in there driver releases. I have been a long time ATI fan (since the release of the 8500)..but..this article clearly indicates that Nvidia is in the process of or already has put a trump card on the table with the 6800 series of VGA cards that ATI needs to respond to.
  • RyanVM - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    How did the X800 XT come out ahead of the XT-PE by 10fps in the Homeworld 2 16x12 4xAA/8xAF test?
  • Warder45 - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    Derek, do you really think a fall refresh line is comeing this year? The spring line has barely shown up, let alone the low end ATI cards haven't really been introduced. Seems like that would be a big waste of money for ATI and Nvidia to release refreshes before the current line has market penetration.
  • Slikkster - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    All I can say is that it's about time, Nvidia, that you've closed the gap on ATI. I'm looking forward to 2 6800 UE's SLI'd on a pci express board. heheh
  • DerekWilson - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    sorry, to answer the resolution and connection questions:

    Viewsonic P95f+ using analog. When necessary (with the 6800 U and 6800 UE) we used a DVI to analog adapter.
  • DerekWilson - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    Things would have looked different if we had gone with MSRP ... things will also look different in a couple months when the fall refresh line comes out.

    We didn't feel it was fair to use MSRP because people can't find these cards for MSRP right now. In a month or two, that may or may not be different. And in a month or two, we may take another look at performance and value.

    But, as we indicated in the article, the value graphs should really be more of a guide than a definition. If that makes any sense :-)
  • at80eighty - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    gotta agree with Shinei, this bunch DEFINITELY makes me wanna shift from my trusty Ti4200 *sniff* : p ... and umm no, im no fanboy; was seriously considering the X800XT, but the tests make me think the 6800GT is worth my money...

    btw Derek...what monitor + connection were you using for these tests?

    /also - the value graphs: - great idea!...something i've come to expect from you guys now : P Keep up the good work!

  • trexpesto - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    whoops thought I was just logging in - um - nice article.

    I've seen newegg testing the waters with 9800 Pro 256MB for $223.00. Once I could believe it was a mistake, twice tho seems like real sampling to see when they should be lowering the price. There's just so many models out there, given a 10$ spacing, it's like prices are shored up from the bottom. Anyways, picked one up, but I let them sweat for a half hour first. ;)

  • Pumpkinierre - Friday, July 9, 2004 - link

    In homeworld2 test the X800XT 1t 1600x1200 goes up in speed when you switch on 4xAA and 8xAF and beats the PE!

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now