3DMark 2005 is the latest version in the popular 3DMark series of gaming benchmarks, and is the first to actually require full DirectX 9.0 compatibility. The 3DMark '05 program also offers a high-end selection of both gaming and CPU tests, while upping the ante in terms of jaw-dropping graphics and 3D feature support. 3DMark '05 is not only a prime way of determining potential DirectX 9 game performance, but includes a CPU benchmark and a fully-featured Image Quality suite.
3DMark 2005 is an extremely serious 3D performance benchmark, and along with the DirectX 9 requirement, it exacts a heavy toll on the hardware. This is clearly evident based on the huge lead the high-end cards like the ASUS AX800 XT hold over last-gen products like the GeForce FX 5950. In terms of newer hardware, we again see the GeForce 6800 Ultra trading blows with the ASUS AX800 XT, with each winning a single match. Adding in higher anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering settings should help separate the men from the boys, and proclaim a 3DMark 2005 winner.
In this case, there is no question that the ASUS AX800 XT is the overall 3DMark 2005 performance champion, as with 4X AA and 8X AF enabled, the card virtually annihilates the GeForce 6800-based competition.
Our secondary 3DMark 2005 benchmark tests utilize the Feature Test portion of the benchmark, which concentrates on the Fill Rate and Vertex and Pixel Shader performance. The first chart shows the cards ranked by Fill Rate performance, with the number displayed representing MTexels/second, while the second chart has the cards ranked by Vertex and Pixel Shader performance, with the number displayed representing MVertices/second.
The Single Texture Fill Rate results (MTexels/second) favor the GeForce 6800 Ultra slightly, compared to the ASUS AX800 XT, but it's still a very close race, Once we get into Multi-Texturing, The AX800 XT scores a convincing victory, and posts a score well in front of all challengers. In terms of 3DMark 2005 Fill Rate performance, we'd give the overall crown to the ASUS AX800 XT.
The 3DMark 2005 Vertex and Pixel Shader performance scores (MVertices/second) tell much the same tale, and again it's the ASUS AX800 XT out in front, only this time in both the Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader areas. Like in the Fill Rate tests, it's obvious that the AX800 XT sits in top sport for 3DMark 2005 Vertex and Pixel Shading performance.
