Code Creatures is a synthetic 3D benchmark that provides us with yet another angle in any video performance comparison. This is a high-end 3D benchmark that also requires DirectX 8 hardware, and along with 3DMark 2001SE, is a good barometer for potential DirectX 8 game performance.
The first chart outlines the Total score produced by the Code Creatures benchmark, and surprisingly, the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra outpaces the Radeon 9800 XT. This test uses standard 3D settings (no AA/AF) so it's a bit startling to see NVIDIA in front. Then again, the Radeon 9800 XT does provide a serious improvement over the scores of the Radeon 9800 Pro 256-MB, so we are seeing a payoff for the higher clock speeds.
Our second chart breaks down the individual framerates used to compile the Total score. We really don't see anything that sticks out, as the Radeon 9800 XT posts some high numbers, well in excess of the older Radeon 9800-based cards, but just a half-step behind the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra.
Unreal Tournament 2003 includes a benchmark program that automatically tests two separate modes. One is Flyby, which takes a canned tour of the UT game world and then offers up a framerate score. The second is Botmatch, and this is a more game-oriented test than Flyby, but it also brings with it added CPU dependency. In this section, we've taken the cards through the UT 2003 wringer and show benchmark charts for both of the game tests.
The UT 2003 Botmatch benchmark shows the same trends we found in Comanche 4, with the ATI cards all out in front NVIDIA in another CPU-dependant 3D test. In terms of relative comparisons, the extra power of the Radeon 9800 XT doesn't seem to pay off until 1600x1200, where it slides just ahead of the Radeon 9800 Pro 256-MB.
The Unreal Tournament 2003 Flyby test is more centered on the video card, and here we see the Radeon 9800 XT taking it to the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra early on, and then falling back at the higher resolutions.
The Unreal Tournament 2003 Flyby AA and AF test results follow the basic trend we've seen in other benchmarks, with the Radeon 9800 XT taking the AF portion and the GeForce FX 5900 Ultra moving ahead in pure AA modes. The mixed-mode 4X AA/8X AF setting is a virtual dead heat between these two cards.
