ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb
Test results and conclusions
It is now time we tested the new product and gave the answer as to whether the extra 512 MB of video memory proved useful to it. We'll be testing the product with the familiar test bench:
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Test configuration
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CPU
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Motherboard
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RAM
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Operating system
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Windows XP+SP2+DirectX 9.0c / Windows Vista for DX10 tests
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Power supply unit
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750 W
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We'll be comparing ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb versus the "regular" GeForce 8800GT 512 MB and Radeon HD3870 also equipped with 512 MB. We used the following driver versions: for GeForce video cards – ForceWare 169.21 (Windows XP) and ForceWare 169.25 (Windows Vista); for the Radeon HD3870, we used Catalyst 7.12 for both operating systems. So, we start with the test results for 3DMark.
As we expected, at 3DMark tests the new product and GeForce 8800GT 512 MB go on par. Therefore, the extra 512 MB of video memory have not affected the results at 3DMark tests in the least. Now let's move to gaming tests which we'll be running with 4x FSAA and 16x AF enabled.
At Call of Duty 4, ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb rushed forward at some aspects and at other it lagged behind the "regular" GeForce 8800GT. The scatter of results can be explained by the test errors and perhaps the different latency timings in the video memory chips of the rivals. The video memory chips are different.
At Call of Juarez, ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb and the "regular" GeForce 8800GT go on par, which again points to the fact that 1 GB of memory is not in demand.
The situation changes with transition to the DX10 mode. While at 1024x768 and 1280x1024 the video cards ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb and GeForce 8800GT go on par, at 1600x1200 we see a different picture. The "regular" GeForce 8800GT lacks video memory, whereas ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb is free of that problem. On the other hand, the "advantage" of 1 GB memory is questionable since even with sufficient video memory capacity the video card demonstrates too low results.
We'd like to point to the much lower results demonstrated by Radeon HD3870 at 1280x1024 as compared to 1600x1200. This pattern is seen only in this game, and we already reported that, - to all appearances, this behavior of the video card is rooted by the flaws in the drivers.
At Crysis, ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb and the "regular" GeForce 8800GT go almost on par, except that at 1600x1200 the latter lagged behind a bit. Most likely, that was caused by the "tightness" of the 512 NB video memory capacity, which we reported earlier.
In the DX10 mode, like in the case with Call of Juarez, the advantage of using 1 GB video memory becomes evident. Already at 1280x1024, the video card GeForce 8800GT lags behind ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb, and at 1600x1200 its performance drops sharply, whereas ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb is still afloat.
At Need for Speed Carbon, ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb and the "regular" GeForce 8800GT go almost on par. As a matter of fact, it would be strange to expect the contrary because 512 MB of video memory is more than enough for this game.
At Need for Speed Pro Street Racing, the situation is similar, 512 MB of video memory is quite enough for this game.
At Oblivion, the situation is the same. Needless to say, the game is far from being new, and 512 MB of video memory is more than enough for it.
The same situation is in the Prey game. 512 MB of video memory is quite enough for this not the newest game, and the performance of all the participants of the tests is much higher than is required for this game.
Final Words
So, we've got an idea of the "advanced" version of GeForce 8800GT with 1GB of onboard video memory. What do you feel about that? Our impressions are dubious because 512 MB of video memory is quite enough for games which run fast with GeForce 8800GT. But where the extra 512 MB video memory are in demand, there is a definite shortage of the GPU performance. Therefore, we can't state with confidence whether 1 GB of video memory for the GeForce 8800GT class is needed or not. On the one hand - yes, this amount of video memory is really needed, on the other hand – in the modes where this capacity is needed the video card does not demonstrates the best results. So for now, the purchase of a GeForce 8800GT with 1 GB onboard video memory will not bring much benefit, except that you won't have to worry about the possible shortage of video memory for just another super-game. But let's not forget that the advantages of our video card are not limited at that.
Pros of ASUS EN8800GT 1Gb:
- 1 GB onboard video memory;
- quiet and efficient cooling system;
- good package bundle.
Cons:
Specific traits:
- poor overclocking results.
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VGA Card:
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CPU & Memory:
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