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3Digest, February 2005



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Monthly drivers report and popular 3D
accelerators comparison

Monthy 3Digest is the project of iXBT.com and Digit-Life.com dedicated to informing you about the performance of a large number of graphics cards under Windows XP in the past month. Materials are published according to the three-month cycle:

  1. First month: Summary performance charts of ALL graphics cards (40-50 of them) and their latest drivers available 20 days before the Digest is released.
  2. Second month: Examination of scalability or some other graphics card characteristic based on a selection of 30 cards.
  3. Third month: Additional examinations based on the same card selection.

Then the cycle repeats.

This issue is dedicated to scalability therefore drivers released from the 10th of January 2005 to the 10th of February 2005 were not examined.

Traditionally our 3Digest informs you about the best price/performance ratios available in the market. Another very important part of any issue is cards' 3D graphics quality shown on the example of a wide selection of games.

It's our 57th issue of 3Digest.

ATTENTION! This issue is dedicated to the dependence of performance on CPU (and system) clock rates in the HEAVY MODES with 4X ANTIALIASING and 16X ANISOTROPY!

The standard summary tests will be conducted in March.

SINCE WE HAVEN'T TESTED NEW DRIVERS THIS TIME, WE OFFER YOU GRAPHICS CARD RATINGS FROM THE DECEMBER 2004 3DIGEST ISSUE

February 2005

It has been a month of nForce4 (SLI) motherboard shipments. X850, X800XL, X800 PCI-E are at large.

MORE CONTENTS

  1. Testbed configurations and test software
  2. Tested videocards list
  3. What's new in 3Digest
  4. Test summary diagrams and digest bottom line
  5. 3D accelerator rating calculations for the end of the month
  6. Screenshot gallery
  7. Games quality section



1. Testbed configuration



  • 1.1. System on Athlon 64 3200+:
    • AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (L2=1024K);
    • ASUS K8V SE Deluxe motherboard on VIA K8T800;
    • 1 GB DDR SDRAM PC3200;
    • Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 80GB SATA HDD.

  • 1.2. System on Athlon 64 (939Socket)
    • AMD Athlon 3800 2+ (L512=1024K);
    • ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe motherboard on NVIDIA nForce4 SLI;
    • 1 GB DDR SDRAM 400MHz;
    • WD Caviar SE WD1600JD 160GB SATA HDD.

Testbeds have Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2, DirectX 9.0c installed. ViewSonic P810 (21") and IIYAMA Vision Master Pro 514 (22") monitors were used.

NOTE!

To examine graphics card scalability we used the unlocked multiplier and established the three levels of clock rates.

So:

  • AGP platform
    • Testbed 1.1: 1400 MHz CPU
    • Testbed 1.1: 1800 MHz CPU
    • Testbed 1.1: 2200 MHz CPU

  • PCIE platform
    • Testbed 1.2: 1400 MHz CPU
    • Testbed 1.2: 1800 MHz CPU
    • Testbed 1.2: 2400 MHz CPU

The list of benchmarks is here.

2. Graphics card list

Below is a list of graphics cards that we tested linked to respective 3Digest feature-description pages.

Drivers released by videocard manufacturers are not taken into account (unless written by GPU manufacturers) because there are very many of them and it's impossible to test them all.

You can see the quality of 3D graphics produced by tested cards in our monthly updated Screenshot gallery.

Card list:

  1. ATI RADEON 9600 Pro 128MB DDR 2.8ns (400/600 MHz)
  2. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB DDR 5ns (325/400 MHz)
  3. ATI RADEON 9600 XT 128MB DDR 3.3ns (500/600 MHz)
  4. ATI RADEON X600 XT PCX 128MB DDR 2.5ns (500/760 MHz)
  5. ATI RADEON 9800 Pro 128MB DDR 2.8ns (380/680 MHz)
  6. ATI RADEON 9800 XT 256MB DDR 2.5ns (412/730 MHz)
  7. ATI RADEON X700 PCX 128MB DDR 2.8ns (400/700 MHz)
  8. ATI RADEON X700 PRO PCX 256MB GDDR3 2.0ns (425/860 MHz)
  9. ATI RADEON X800 XL PCX 256MB DDR3 2.0ns (400/1000 MHz)
  10. ATI RADEON X800 PCX 256MB DDR3 2.0ns (400/700 MHz)
  11. ATI RADEON X800 Pro 256MB DDR3 2.0ns (475/900 MHz)
  12. ATI RADEON X800 XT PE 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (520/1120 MHz)
  13. ATI RADEON X800 XT 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (500/1000 MHz)
  14. ATI RADEON X800 XT PCX 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (500/1000 MHz)
  15. ATI RADEON X800 XT PE PCX 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (520/1120 MHz)
  16. ATI RADEON X850 XT PE PCX 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (540/1180 MHz)
  17. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB DDR 3.6ns (425/550 MHz)
  18. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 XT 128MB DDR 2.8ns (390/700 MHz)
  19. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB DDR 3.6ns (300/550 MHz)
  20. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB DDR 3.6ns (300/550 MHz)
  21. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB AGP DDR 3.6ns (300/550 MHz)
  22. NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 2.0ns (500/1000 MHz)
  23. NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT 128MB AGP GDDR3 2.0ns (500/900 MHz)
  24. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB DDR 2.8ns (325/700 MHz)
  25. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB DDR 2.8ns (325/700 MHz)
  26. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB GDDR3 2.0ns (350/1000 MHz)
  27. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB DDR 2.8ns (350/700 MHz)
  28. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB DDR3 2.0ns (350/1000 MHz)
  29. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB DDR3 2.0ns (350/1000 MHz)
  30. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (425/1100 MHz)
  31. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB DDR3 1.6ns (425/1100 MHz)
  32. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB DDR3 2.0ns (2x500/1140 MHz) - Gigabyte 3D1
  33. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB DDR3 1.6ns (2x425/1100 MHz)
  34. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB DDR3 2.0ns (2x350/1000 MHz)
  35. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 PCX 256MB DDR 2.8ns (350/600 MHz)
  36. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 PCX SLI 2x256MB DDR 2.8ns (2x350/600 MHz)

Archive (videocards, which info is no longer updated)

3. February 2005 news and the current business

  • 3.1. The following drivers were released from January 10, 2004 to February 10, 2004:

    • NVIDIA ForceWare for all NVIDIA cards:

      • Windows XP: 71,80, 71.81;


    • ATI Catalyst for all ATI cards:

      • Windows XP: 6.512 (CATALYST 5.2)




  • 3.2. This month we used 71.81 drivers for NVIDIA cards summaries; 6.512 drivers for ATI cards summaries.

4. Graphics card scalability charts for Windows XP, February 2005

All willing to build own charts are invited to download these Excel XP tables in RAR 3.0 or ZIP archives.

5. 3D graphics card ratings for the late DECEMBER 2004


All willing to conduct his own rating calculations with his own values are invited to download this Excel XP table in RAR 3.0 or ZIP format.

Usability and prospect ratings were calculated using test results obtained on two testbeds. Therefore there are TWO RATING SERIES presented.

The method of rating calculation is described here.

Calculations were conducted considering the following assumptions:

  1. Windows XP is used;
  2. Percentage of performance and quality demand ratio:
    • performance priority - 60%
    • quality priority - 40%

  3. ONLY 1600x1200@32bpp resolution was used for the prospect rating;
  4. Usability ratings are separated into the three sections. Each rating features its own expenses for system upgrade. All this is considered in the APG parameter that is $100 for Low-End, $250 for Middle-End, and $500 for High-End. We believe that if a user wants to purchase a very expensive and powerful accelerator, he understands the inanity of installing it into a Low-End PC. So we separated the usability rating for different PC levels. The fourth rating implies expenses only for the graphics card itself.

  1. Athlon64 3200+ (VIA K8T800):

    Usability rating (rating from the previous 3Digest is in parentheses):

    Usability rating: card price + $500

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB, 350/700 MHz
    (02)
    02. ATI RADEON X800XT PE 256MB, 525/1150 MHz
    (01)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (04)
    04. ATI RADEON X800XT 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (03)
    05. ATI RADEON X800 PRO 256MB, 475/900 MHz
    (05)
    06. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (08)
    07. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 425/1100 MHz
    (06)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (07)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (09)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB, 500/900 MHz
    (--)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (10)
    12. ATI RADEON 9800XT 256MB, 412/730 MHz
    (11)
    13. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB, 380/680 MHz
    (12)
    14. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB, 380/680 MHz
    (13)
    15. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB, 325/590 MHz
    (14)
    16. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB 128bit, 380/600 MHz
    (15)
    17. ATI RADEON 9600XT 128MB, 500/600 MHz
    (18)
    18. ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (19)
    19. ATI RADEON 9550XT 128MB 400/500 MHz
    (20)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB, 475/950 MHz
    (17)
    21. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128MB, 390/700 MHz
    (16)
    22. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB, 325/400 MHz
    (22)
    23. ATI RADEON 9550 128MB 250/400 MHz
    (24)
    24. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB 475/950 MHz DDR3
    (21)
    25. ATI RADEON 9600SE 128MB 64bit, 325/400 MHz
    (26)
    26. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB, 425/550 MHz
    (23)
    27. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (25)
    28. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 128MB, 325/550 MHz
    (27)
    29. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT 128MB 128bit, 235/400 MHz
    (28)
    30. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (29)
    31. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 64bit, 250/333 MHz
    (30)


    Usability rating: card price + $250

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB, 350/700 MHz
    (01)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (05)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (04)
    04. ATI RADEON X800XT PE 256MB, 525/1150 MHz
    (02)
    05. ATI RADEON X800 PRO 256MB, 475/900 MHz
    (06)
    06. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB, 500/900 MHz
    (--)
    07. ATI RADEON X800XT 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (03)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (07)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (09)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 425/1100 MHz
    (08)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (10)
    12. ATI RADEON 9800XT 256MB, 412/730 MHz
    (11)
    13. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB, 325/590 MHz
    (14)
    14. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB, 380/680 MHz
    (13)
    15. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB, 380/680 MHz
    (12)
    16. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB 128bit, 380/600 MHz
    (15)
    17. ATI RADEON 9600XT 128MB, 500/600 MHz
    (17)
    18. ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (18)
    19. ATI RADEON 9550XT 128MB 400/500 MHz
    (20)
    20. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB, 325/400 MHz
    (22)
    21. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128MB, 390/700 MHz
    (16)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB, 475/950 MHz
    (19)
    23. ATI RADEON 9550 128MB 250/400 MHz
    (23)
    24. ATI RADEON 9600SE 128MB 64bit, 325/400 MHz
    (26)
    25. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB 475/950 MHz DDR3
    (21)
    26. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB, 425/550 MHz
    (24)
    27. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (25)
    28. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 128MB, 325/550 MHz
    (27)
    29. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT 128MB 128bit, 235/400 MHz
    (28)
    30. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (29)
    31. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 64bit, 250/333 MHz
    (30)


    Usability rating: card price + $100

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB, 350/700 MHz
    (01)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB, 500/900 MHz
    (--)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (02)
    04. ATI RADEON X800 PRO 256MB, 475/900 MHz
    (03)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (05)
    06. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (06)
    07. ATI RADEON X800XT PE 256MB, 525/1150 MHz
    (04)
    08. ATI RADEON X800XT 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (07)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (08)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (10)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 425/1100 MHz
    (09)
    12. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB, 325/590 MHz
    (11)
    13. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB, 380/680 MHz
    (12)
    14. ATI RADEON 9800XT 256MB, 412/730 MHz
    (13)
    15. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB, 380/680 MHz
    (14)
    16. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB 128bit, 380/600 MHz
    (15)
    17. ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (16)
    18. ATI RADEON 9550XT 128MB 400/500 MHz
    (17)
    19. ATI RADEON 9600XT 128MB, 500/600 MHz
    (18)
    20. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB, 325/400 MHz
    (20)
    21. ATI RADEON 9550 128MB 250/400 MHz
    (21)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128MB, 390/700 MHz
    (19)
    23. ATI RADEON 9600SE 128MB 64bit, 325/400 MHz
    (25)
    24. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB, 475/950 MHz
    (22)
    25. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB 475/950 MHz DDR3
    (23)
    26. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB, 425/550 MHz
    (24)
    27. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (26)
    28. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 128MB, 325/550 MHz
    (27)
    29. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (28)
    30. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT 128MB 128bit, 235/400 MHz
    (29)
    31. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 64bit, 250/333 MHz
    (30)


    Usability rating: just card price

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB, 500/900 MHz
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB, 350/700 MHz
    (01)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (02)
    04. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (03)
    05. ATI RADEON 9550XT 128MB 400/500 MHz
    (06)
    06. ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (08)
    07. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB, 325/590 MHz
    (05)
    08. ATI RADEON X800 PRO 256MB, 475/900 MHz
    (04)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (07)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (11)
    11. ATI RADEON X800XT PE 256MB, 525/1150 MHz
    (09)
    12. ATI RADEON X800XT 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (10)
    13. ATI RADEON 9550 128MB 250/400 MHz
    (12)
    14. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB, 325/400 MHz
    (17)
    15. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB 128bit, 380/600 MHz
    (16)
    16. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (13)
    17. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 425/1100 MHz
    (15)
    18. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB, 380/680 MHz
    (14)
    19. ATI RADEON 9600XT 128MB, 500/600 MHz
    (19)
    20. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB, 380/680 MHz
    (18)
    21. ATI RADEON 9800XT 256MB, 412/730 MHz
    (20)
    22. ATI RADEON 9600SE 128MB 64bit, 325/400 MHz
    (22)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128MB, 390/700 MHz
    (21)
    24. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB, 425/550 MHz
    (23)
    25. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 128MB, 325/550 MHz
    (24)
    26. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (26)
    27. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB 475/950 MHz DDR3
    (25)
    28. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB, 475/950 MHz
    (27)
    29. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (28)
    30. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT 128MB 128bit, 235/400 MHz
    (29)
    31. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 64bit, 250/333 MHz
    (30)

    Prospect rating (the previous rating is in parenthesis):

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 425/1100 MHz
    (02)
    02. ATI RADEON X800XT PE 256MB, 525/1150 MHz
    (01)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (04)
    04. ATI RADEON X800XT 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (03)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (05)
    06. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 128MB, 350/700 MHz
    (07)
    07. ATI RADEON X800 PRO 256MB, 475/900 MHz
    (06)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (08)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (09)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT AGP 128MB, 500/900 MHz
    (--)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6800LE 128MB, 325/700 MHz
    (10)
    12. ATI RADEON 9800XT 256MB, 412/730 MHz
    (11)
    13. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB, 380/680 MHz
    (12)
    14. ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB, 380/680 MHz
    (13)
    15. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB, 325/590 MHz
    (14)
    16. ATI RADEON 9800 128MB 128bit, 380/600 MHz
    (16)
    17. ATI RADEON 9600XT 128MB, 500/600 MHz
    (17)
    18. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra 256MB, 475/950 MHz
    (15)
    19. ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (19)
    20. ATI RADEON 9550XT 128MB 400/500 MHz
    (20)
    21. ATI RADEON 9600 256MB, 325/400 MHz
    (22)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900XT 128MB, 390/700 MHz
    (18)
    23. ATI RADEON 9550 128MB 250/400 MHz
    (23)
    24. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB 475/950 MHz DDR3
    (21)
    25. ATI RADEON 9600SE 128MB 64bit, 325/400 MHz
    (25)
    26. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 128MB, 425/550 MHz
    (24)
    27. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700LE 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (26)
    28. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600 128MB, 325/550 MHz
    (27)
    29. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT 128MB 128bit, 235/400 MHz
    (28)
    30. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 250/400 MHz
    (29)
    31. NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB, 64bit, 250/333 MHz
    (30)


  2. Athlon 64 3800+ platform (NVIDIA nForce4 SLI):

    Usability rating (rating from the previous 3Digest is in parentheses):

    Usability rating: card price + $500

    01. ATI RADEON X800XL 256MB, 400/1000 MHz
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB, 2x500/1000
    (--)
    03. ATI RADEON X800XT PCI-E 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (03)
    04. ATI RADEON X800XT PE PCI-E 256MB, 520/1120 MHz
    (04)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (02)
    06. ATI RADEON X850XT PE 256MB, 540/1180 MHz
    (01)
    07. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (06)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (05)
    09. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB, 2x350/1000
    (--)
    10. ATI RADEON X700PRO 256MB, 425/860 MHz
    (07)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB, 2x425/1100
    (--)
    12. ATI RADEON X700 256MB (400/700 MHz
    (08)
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (09)
    14. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (12)
    15. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 540/800 MHz
    (10)
    16. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 500/760 MHz
    (11)
    17. ATI RADEON X600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (13)
    18. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5900 128MB, 350/550 MHz
    (14)
    19. ATI RADEON X300 128MB 325/400 MHz
    (15)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 32MB 64bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    21. ATI RADEON X300SE 128MB 64bit 325/400 MHz
    (17)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5750 128MB, 425/500 MHz
    (16)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 16MB 32bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)


    Usability rating: card price + $250

    01. ATI RADEON X800XL 256MB, 400/1000 MHz
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (02)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB, 2x500/1000
    (--)
    04. ATI RADEON X800XT PCI-E 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (03)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (01)
    06. ATI RADEON X800XT PE PCI-E 256MB, 520/1120 MHz
    (05)
    07. ATI RADEON X850XT PE 256MB, 540/1180 MHz
    (04)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (06)
    09. ATI RADEON X700PRO 256MB, 425/860 MHz
    (07)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB, 2x350/1000
    (--)
    11. ATI RADEON X700 256MB (400/700 MHz
    (08)
    12. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (09)
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB, 2x425/1100
    (--)
    14. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (10)
    15. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 540/800 MHz
    (11)
    16. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 500/760 MHz
    (12)
    17. ATI RADEON X600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (13)
    18. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5900 128MB, 350/550 MHz
    (14)
    19. ATI RADEON X300 128MB 325/400 MHz
    (15)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 32MB 64bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    21. ATI RADEON X300SE 128MB 64bit 325/400 MHz
    (17)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5750 128MB, 425/500 MHz
    (16)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 16MB 32bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)


    Usability rating: card price + $100

    01. ATI RADEON X800XL 256MB, 400/1000 MHz
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (01)
    03. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB, 2x500/1000
    (--)
    04. ATI RADEON X700PRO 256MB, 425/860 MHz
    (02)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (03)
    06. ATI RADEON X800XT PCI-E 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (04)
    07. ATI RADEON X800XT PE PCI-E 256MB, 520/1120 MHz
    (07)
    08. ATI RADEON X700 256MB (400/700 MHz
    (06)
    09. ATI RADEON X850XT PE 256MB, 540/1180 MHz
    (05)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (08)
    11. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (09)
    12. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB, 2x350/1000
    (--)
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (10)
    14. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB, 2x425/1100
    (--)
    15. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 500/760 MHz
    (11)
    16. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 540/800 MHz
    (12)
    17. ATI RADEON X600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (13)
    18. ATI RADEON X300 128MB 325/400 MHz
    (14)
    19. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5900 128MB, 350/550 MHz
    (15)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 32MB 64bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    21. ATI RADEON X300SE 128MB 64bit 325/400 MHz
    (17)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5750 128MB, 425/500 MHz
    (16)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 16MB 32bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)


    Usability rating: just card price

    01. ATI RADEON X800XL 256MB, 400/1000 MHz
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (01)
    03. ATI RADEON X700PRO 256MB, 425/860 MHz
    (02)
    04. ATI RADEON X700 256MB (400/700 MHz
    (03)
    05. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (04)
    06. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB, 2x500/1000
    (--)
    07. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (05)
    08. ATI RADEON X800XT PCI-E 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (06)
    09. ATI RADEON X800XT PE PCI-E 256MB, 520/1120 MHz
    (09)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (08)
    11. ATI RADEON X850XT PE 256MB, 540/1180 MHz
    (07)
    12. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (10)
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB, 2x350/1000
    (--)
    14. ATI RADEON X300 128MB 325/400 MHz
    (11)
    15. ATI RADEON X600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (13)
    16. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 500/760 MHz
    (12)
    17. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 540/800 MHz
    (14)
    18. ATI RADEON X300SE 128MB 64bit 325/400 MHz
    (15)
    19. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB, 2x425/1100
    (--)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 32MB 64bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    21. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 16MB 32bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5900 128MB, 350/550 MHz
    (16)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5750 128MB, 425/500 MHz
    (17)

    Prospect rating (the previous rating is in parenthesis):

    01. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI 2x256MB, 2x425/1100
    (--)
    02. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT SLI 2x256MB, 2x350/1000
    (--)
    03. ATI RADEON X850XT PE 256MB, 540/1180 MHz
    (01)
    04. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra PCX 256MB, 400/1100 MHz
    (03)
    05. ATI RADEON X800XT PE PCI-E 256MB, 520/1120 MHz
    (02)
    06. ATI RADEON X800XT PCI-E 256MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (04)
    07. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT SLI 2x128MB, 2x500/1000
    (--)
    08. NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT PCX 256MB, 350/1000 MHz
    (05)
    09. ATI RADEON X800XL 256MB, 400/1000 MHz
    (--)
    10. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128MB, 500/1000 MHz
    (06)
    11. ATI RADEON X700PRO 256MB, 425/860 MHz
    (07)
    12. ATI RADEON X700 256MB (400/700 MHz
    (08)
    13. NVIDIA GeForce 6600 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (09)
    14. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 540/800 MHz
    (10)
    15. NVIDIA GeForce 6200 128MB, 300/550 MHz
    (12)
    16. ATI RADEON X600XT 128MB, 500/760 MHz
    (11)
    17. ATI RADEON X600 PRO 128MB, 400/600 MHz
    (13)
    18. ATI RADEON X300 128MB 325/400 MHz
    (15)
    19. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5900 128MB, 350/550 MHz
    (14)
    20. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 32MB 64bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    21. ATI RADEON X300SE 128MB 64bit 325/400 MHz
    (17)
    22. NVIDIA GeForce 6200TC 16MB 32bit, 350/700 MHz
    (--)
    23. NVIDIA GeForce PCX5750 128MB, 425/500 MHz
    (16)



Ingame quality



6. Games screenshot gallery

All test screenshots are compiled into a gallery where you can qualify the work of a chosen videocard. All shots were taken at the same resolution at the maximum quality. Screenshot gallery

7. Games artefacts gallery

Games quality section



We thank all the companies that provided us with graphics cards and other equipment for our 3Digest, including:






HIS (Peter Yueng personally)
Vitaly Milov (vmilov@ixbt.com)
Danil Gridasov (degust@ixbt.com)








and Andrey Vorobiev(Anvakams@ixbt.com)







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