Test Setup

The ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB card is still one of the top single-card performers, and our reference platform configuration also needs to have significant power in reserve, just to make sure it will not be the limiting factor. Our standard system configuration has been shifted to the Core 2 Duo platform, and now includes a 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo E6700, an Intel 975X motherboard, and 2x512-MB of Corsair CM2X512-8500 memory. This represents a very solid base for high-performance video card benchmarking, which includes all the latest features, and makes sure that the platform itself will not hold any of these high-end video cards back.

The competition in our video card benchmarking has the Radeon X1900 XT 512MB up against a selection of ATI and NVIDIA models, covering a range of performance mainstream and higher-end solutions. The NVIDIA reference cards include the GeForce 6800 GS 256MB, GeForce 7600 GT 256MB, GeForce 7800 GT 256MB, and GeForce 7900 GT 256MB, while the ATI contingent includes the Radeon X1600 XT 256MB and Radeon X1800 XL 256MB. Our operating system is Windows XP Pro SP2 with DirectX 9.0c.

Our benchmark selection includes standard game tests such as F.E.A.R., 3DMark06 Advanced, Quake 4, Half-Life 2, DOOM 3, Chronicles of Riddick, FarCry, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Quake 3. All testing has been performed using standard 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 32-bit settings, along with high-end 4X anti-aliasing and 8X anisotropic filtering results as well. The 4X AA and 8X AF settings are representative of the detail settings many enthusiasts use for their high-end 3D gaming.

* Please note that unless otherwise stated, all performance graph results equate to the standard "higher is better" format.

Test System

General Settings:
Desktop Resolution: 1024x768
Color Depth: 32-bit
V-Sync: Disabled

Intel Dual Core Reference System:
Processors: Core 2 Duo E6700 (2.66 GHz)
Memory: 2 x 512-MB Corsair CM2X512-8500
Motherboard: Intel D975XBX
Motherboard chip set: Intel 975X
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 91.47
ATI reference drivers: Catalyst 6.10
Hard-Drive: Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen 5232 Combo Drive
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
DirectX 9.0c (August 2006)
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2

Video Cards:
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB
NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT 256MB
NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT 256MB
ATI Radeon X1800 XL 256MB
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS 256MB
ATI Radeon X1600 XT 256MB