The Comanche 4 benchmark from Novalogic gives us an opportunity to use an actual flight sim for 3D video testing. This is a different game engine that we've ever used before, so don't be put off by the relatively low framerates. Just like the high fps of Quake 3, a card's relative position is the most important factor. These tests were run in both 16 and 32-bit modes, with sound disabled.
It is business as usual here, as GeForce4 Ti 4200 memory speed once again finishes a bit better than the 128-MB memory size of the Xtasy GeForce4 Ti 4200. All of the GeForce4 Ti products place very well, especially in comparison to the Radeon 8500 and GeForce3 Ti 500 and 200.
The scores at the 32-bit setting are a bit of a mixed bag, but at least we are starting to see where the 128-MB of card memory may actually start paying dividends. Comanche 4 is one of the newer game benchmarks we use, and the 32-bit option really puts some stress on the video cards. The GeForce4 Ti 4200 128-MB and 64-MB cards split the four resolutions, but the most telling is the Xtasy GeForce4 Ti 4200 128-MB taking the lead at 1600x1200.
Jedi Knight is the newest Quake 3-based game and some would say it is the among the most resource hungry. In fact, it's been nicknamed the "best reason to own a GeForce4 Ti" and gives us with another excellent way of measuring high-end 3D gaming performance. In this particular instance, the video cards have been tested using standard Normal and High Quality detail settings.
Jedi Knight II is another of the newer 3D game benchmarks, but at Normal detail settings at least, the GeForce4 Ti 4200 64-MB maintains the status quo and beats the Xtasy GeForce4 Ti 4200 128-MB by a hair. Also note some excellent Radeon 8500 scores, as the newer Catalyst drivers seem to have again upgraded the card's performance in Jedi Knight II.
Once we hit the Jedi Knight II High Quality benchmarks, the tables start to turn and the Xtasy GeForce4 Ti 4200 128-MB starts cleaning up on the 64-MB board. This is probably the most definitive test showing the true difference between the two GeForce4 Ti 4200 products. The question is, do you want higher framerates at Normal or High Quality settings?
