Introduction

Even before the graphics specialist ATi with the R600 GPU off the ground has come, the direct competitor could 8800 GTX, GeForce 8800 GTS nVidia with the GeForce and recently presented GeForce 8800 GTS 320 place three different Direct3D 10 graphics on the market, which are all within rightly could conquer the high segment of a very short time. The latter is the latest, aimed at the budget-conscious buyers who want to have high performance for a moderate price. How our test product presentation has shown enough speed is possible, as long as you go no higher resolutions than 1280 x 1024, including anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering. If it does, the halved memory of 640 MB to 320 MB in some texture-heavy games does negatively.

Nevertheless offers the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 a high value for the requested money, which is why the accelerator in the public has met with great interest. Also the manufacturer in the “small” model show amazing experiment is, what it 8800 GTX and GeForce 8800 GTS not just can be said of the GeForce. Seems to the one or the other company have found, which is why many cards with modified clock rates are available the joy of overclocking.

While some manufacturers go ahead anything other than squeamish and increase the frequency of as and Shaderdomäne as well as the memory to a healthy level. Even if first hope was that the one or the other card with an own fan design at the start will go, we unfortunately have to deny this. Only EVGA which has as one must say, on an in-house development dared, while on the other cards are all, very good standard cooling is being used by nVidia.

With this test BFG, Gainward, MSI are point of view and XFX, we are all invited to a comparison. We expect not only an exciting duel of cards with each other, but to ask us also how far the House of overclocked models from the reference design can deduct. In addition, we will resolve whether one of overclocked graphics cards or a run with the reference clock rates, but a 640 MB VRAM, will have the nose forward.

Bookmark

• nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX SLI
• nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX
• nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS (SLI)
• nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS 320
• nVidia GeForce 7950 GX2
• nVidia GeForce 7600 GT, 7900 GT and 7900 GTX
• nVidia GeForce 7950 GT
• nVidia GeForce 7900 GS
• ATi Radeon X 1950 XTX and X 1950 CrossFire
• ATi Radeon X 1950 Pro
• ATi Radeon X 1900 XTX and X 1900 CF Edition
• ATi Radeon X 1900 XT 256 MB
• ATi Radeon X 1900 GT
• ATi Radeon X 1800, X 1600 and X 1300
• ATi Radeon X 1650 XT

Technical data

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The GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB is based as the GeForce 8800 GTS on the 681 million transistors of heavy G80 GPU. Some parts of the chip are disabled however in contrast to the top model called GeForce 8800 GTX. So two of the eight unified shader blocks from (per block of 16 beer as well as eight TMUs and four TAU) turns on nVidia so the GTS version a total 96 scalar shader units can use to calculate. They may complete each MADD-as well as MUL (multiply-ADD and multiply) operation per cycle, where it is currently unclear whether the MUL works at all as nVidia has provided. Because added the Shaderdomäne a reference card with 1200 MHz (in comparison: 1350 MHz for the GeForce 8800 GTX), has the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB, taking into account of MULs 346 GFLOPs under the hood. Thus, tie there is 1950 XTX of ATi Radeon x.

The remaining GPU works with a frequency of 500 MHz (GeForce 8800 GTX: 575 MHz). The 48 texture mapping units, while the GeForce 8800 GTS (320 MB) can rely only on 24 texture addressing units are affected. As a player today but hardly no used to an at least trilinear filtered image, this plays a rather small role. The important Texelfüllrate is exactly tied with 24000 MTex per second with a GeForce 7950 GX2 – where you can speak on the double page only with a 100 percent (theoretical) efficiency of 24000 MTex/s. The number of grid operation processors on the, GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB amounts to 20, because a partition with four ROPs disabled is.

The GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB thus with 10 instead of 12 memory modules with every 32 MB, which is why on the graphics card a total 320 MB of memory are available – the GeForce 8800 GTS also has 10 memory modules, but these are 64 MB in size per module. The memory interface is 320 bits wide, as two memory modules with a 64-bit interface on the GPU are connected. The clock rate is 800 MHz (GeForce 8800 GTX: 900 MHz), which is the memory bandwidth exactly at the level of the Radeon X 1950 XTX located. If you would like to know more information on the G80 architecture, we recommend our launch article.

Impressions

Since we us already extensively discussed in the previous reviews with the cooling system of the GeForce 8800 cards, we are neglecting the point in this article. If you would like to learn 8800 GTS 320 of the stock cooler, the GeForce, we recommend the the launch-review of the show.

BFG 8800 GTS OC 320

After BFG in the United States for the House is known from overclocked models, holds the manufacturer in Germany foot and the offered product portfolio expands gradually. One of the new products is the BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 320 OC, which itself has found in our test lab. A look at the price search engine Scrooge reveals that the accelerator is currently although offered, but is mostly not available. The card is listed in ten online stores starting from 270 euro, it is available only on the three most expensive vendors (from about 290 euros). This could be, that BFG now has placed a second GeForce 8800 GTS 320 in the trade, which is the abbreviation of “OC2″. This version is slightly higher clocked and available in multiple online stores from 300 euro.

BFG attracts the clock screw of the TMU domain slowly and speeds up the graphics card to 40 MHz to 540 MHz. pleasant is, that it has modified as well the shader clock, OC 320 1300 MHz works on the GeForce 8800 GTS. The 320 MB memory runs, however, with the standard – 800 MHz. The cable equipment turns out below average. In addition to a power adapter and a DVI to D-SUB adapter, BFG puts in only a S-video on YUV breakout cable. A separate S-video and composite cable is missing, however. The software package is not more or less present. Only with a driver CD, BFG equips the accelerator.

Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS 320 GS

Gainward may not be missing with an overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS 320 and is therefore the “Bliss GeForce 8800 GTS 320 GS” represented. The abbreviation “GS” stands for Golden sample, the name of a übertaktetes model for Gainward. A look at a price search engine reveals that the video card for about 275 Euros currently changes hands. A good deliverability can ensure Gainward, to supply bottlenecks it should not come soon.

Gainward added the TMU domain of the Bliss 8800 GTS 320 GS also moderate 540 MHz. The Shaderdomäne leaving 1200 MHz untouched, while the manufacturers of memory frequency (Hynix; 1, 1ns) increased to 890 MHz. The cable is properly 320 GS 8800 GTS for the relative cheap price of bliss. The customer receives two DVI to D-SUB-as well as a power adapter and a S-video on YUV/composite breakout cable. Against the software package you may suspend also not too much, where we would have but liked a current game to do so. Gainward puts in the map the player software from CyberLink “PowerDVD 6″, as well as the DVD solution package (2.2 Power2Go, PowerProducer 3.2, 2.0 power back and MediaShow 3.0) from the same manufacturer.

MSI NX8800GTS-T2D320E-HD OC

The known manufacturer MSI opts while often modified cooling solutions, but not too often found overclocked models. Otherwise this looks at the GeForce 8800 GTS 320. The show to listen to the cryptic name “NX8800GTS T2D320E-HD OC” and changes hands for approximately 280 euros. To the availability you must worry usually rarely at MSI make. This time it is however different. The graphics card is only a few available, only a few deserted shops have a model in stock. A few days ago the situation looked even more relaxed. From 310 euro, you can buy a MSI card.

MSI is the GeForce GTS OC 320 on the whole, and would like to shine not only the clock rates, but also with a high-quality game. Added the TMU domain 575 MHz on the map. At the same time it takes to Shaderdomäne whopping 1350 MHz, which can be especially in shaderintensiven applications of use. In the memory, MSI is, however, somewhat more cautious (inexplicably). The VRAM (Hynix; 1.1 ns) frequency of House from 840 MHz, which is 40 MHz over the reference design is. The cable equipment is well on the 8800 GTS OC 320. An S-video cable and a power and two DVI to D-SUB-adapter and a S-video to S-video/YUV breakout cable is included in the carton, which conveniently has a handle. As managed, we look at the software package, although this contains only the game “Company of Heroes” in addition to the driver CD. Although you can watch it unhappy as something, that we resolve the memory-eating company of heroes the trimmed-down map, however, a good game in our opinion makes more sense as a software DVD player. Because this MSI with the GeForce waived 8800 GTS OC 320.

POV 8800 GTS 320 Exo-Edition

After point of view had only a GeForce 8800 GTS 320 according to the reference specifications by nVidia on offer in the first weeks, it has now introduced the “Exo-Edition” (extreme overclock). The price search engine Scrooge reveals that the Accelerator for about 300 Euro changes hands. However, the POV video card is listed only by a single dealer, has the map but at least on Commons. This could be, that the Exo-Edition only recently has been announced. The version with the reference clock rates is certainly well available, which is why we assume that that will be soon as well in the “extreme overclock”.

Point of view raises 8800 GTS 320 Exo-Edition at the frequency of TMU domain to 575 MHz of GeForce, which corresponds to an increase in the clock of 75 MHz compared to the reference design. The texture mapping units, as well as almost all remaining GPU components with the same frequency as the flagship GeForce work 8800 GTX. The Shaderdomäne takes a more conservative approach, however, POV and leaves it at the default speed of 1200 MHz. The 320 MB memory that is produced by Hynix with an access time of 1.1 ns overclocked the manufacturer of from House on 900 MHz – also the level of the GeForce 8800 GTX. The cable equipment fails properly Exo-Edition 8800 GTS 320 in the GeForce. In addition to S-video and composite cable, point of view sets a power, S-video on YUV-as well as in two DVI to D-SUB-adapter. As sad we must describe the software package, if one may call it, however,: more than just a lone driver CD is not there.

XFX 8800 GTS 320 XXX 580M

XFX is one of the few manufacturers that offer not only an overclocked version, but two or even three variants. With the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 seems to have decided XFX for two descendants. The top model, which itself has to sit down with us, is called GeForce 8800 GTS 320 XXX 580M and is available currently for around 300 euros. The card is available in several online stores, the price range is however quite large. Some mailers provide the model for 300 euro, others want to have, however, even 380 euro.

XFX is the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 580M XXX in the full and trumps with the clock rates in the BIOS programmed loose the remaining competition from the test field. The TMU domain runs at 575 MHz, where the Shaderdomäne is clearly the peculiarity of the XFX card. It works with a rich 1510 MHz frequency, which is itself significantly above the level of a faster GeForce 8800 GTX. The 320 MB VRAM, which is produced by Hynix with an access time of 1.1 ns added 900 MHz. The cable equipment falls on average of the top model of the GeForce 8800-GTS-320-MB cards from XFX. The manufacturer sets the Pack two DVI-to D-SUB-, a S-VIDEO to YUV adapter, as well as an S-VIDEO cable. The software package is appropriate for the price. The buyer receives the PC game “Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter” in addition to the mandatory driver CD.

Test system

Test system:

• Processor
  • Intel Core 2 Extreme X 6800 (overclocked to 3.46 GHz, dual-core)
• Motherboard
  • Asus Striker extreme (nVidia nForce 680i) main test Board and for SLI Systems
  • Intel “Bad Axe” D975XBX (Intel i975X) for CrossFire systems
• Memory
  • 2 x 1024 MB Corsair CM2X1024-6400 (4-4-4-15)
• Graphics cards
  • nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS (500, 1200, 800), 640 MB
  • BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 320 OC (540 / 1300 / 800), 320 MB
  • Gainward BLISS 8800 GTS 320 (540 / 1200 / 890), 320 MB GS
  • MSI NX8800GTS-T2D320E-HD OC (575 / 1350 / 840), 320 MB
  • Point of view GeForce 8800 GTS 320 Exo-Edition (575, 1200, 900), 320 MB
  • XFX GeForce 8800 GTS 320 XXX 580M (575, 1510, 900), 320 MB
  • nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB (500, 1200, 800), 320 MB
• Peripherals
  • AOpen AAP-1648Pro-DVD drive
  • Samsung SATA2 HDD with 500 GB 16 MB cache
• Driver versions
  • nVidia ForceWare 93.81 (G7x)
  • nVidia ForceWare 97.92 (G8x)
  • ATi catalyst 7.1
• Software
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2
  • Microsoft DirectX 9.0 c

Benchmarks

The following benchmarks were used during our test:

• Synthetic benchmarks:
  • 3DMark05 version 1.2.0
  • 3DMark06 version 1.0.2
• Game benchmarks:
  • Anno 1701
  • Call of duty 2
  • Call of Juarez
  • Company of heroes
  • Doom 3
  • F.E.A.R.
  • Gothic 3
  • Half-life 2: Lost coast
  • Oblivion
  • Prey
  • The Chronicles of Riddick
  • Serious Sam 2
  • Splinter Cell: Chaos theory
  • Splinter Cell: Double agent
  • Tomb Raider: Legend

All benchmarks run with maximum details, so that the graphics card will be charged as high. As settings we chose this 1280 x 1024 and 1600 x 1200 (and 2560 x 1600 for graphics cards with 512 MB or more and a corresponding power). So we pay tribute to the modern high end Accelerator, make the resolutions by their computing power lower than 1280 x 1024 CPU limited. In addition to the pure resolutions we can traverse the benchmark course with two anti-aliasing and 16-fachen anisotropic filter, where we on ATi graphics cards in addition the so-called Adaptive anti-aliasing (AAA) and on nVidia GPUs that transparency Super sampling-anti-aliasing (TSSAA) added button, so that smooth out alpha-test shimmering textures, modern Accelerator provide a sufficient performance liquid to better anti-aliasing represent.

Attention:Modern SLI and CrossFire systems offer the customer a so huge computing power that even the fastest processor that is hopelessly overburdened and therefore almost all games are CPU limited, which is a major problem at faster and faster ever found. For this reason, we have changed our testing methods for multi-GPU systems to prevent such problems as much as possible. Test runs without anti-aliasing as well as the anisotropic filter completely fall under the framework programme, since this quality setting for two graphics cards is no challenge. Thus the only with 4xAA and 16xAF in 1280 x 1024, 1600 x 1200 and 2560 x 1600 tests.

After careful consideration and multiple analysis of even recorded game sequences, we have come to the conclusion in the ForceWare driver for nVidia cards increase the quality settings on high quality, because we can effectively combat the texture flickering only with this setting – this applies only to the generation of G7x, the G8x GPUs are tested with the default settings of the driver, because the image quality has increased. In addition, this mode is similar to the setting “catalyst a.i. standard” on the ATi counterparts, resulting in largely a tie in image quality.

Driver settings: nVidia graphics cards (G7x)

• Performance: High quality
• Vertical sync: off
• Force MipMaps: no
• Trilinear optimization: from
• Anisotropic mip filter optimization: from
• Optimization of anisotropic pattern: from
• Negative LOD bias: clamp
• Gamma adjusted AA: A
• AA mode: 1xAA, 4xAA
• Transparency AA: Supersampling

Driver settings: nVidia graphics cards (G8x)

• Texture filtering: Quality
• Vertical sync: off
• Force MipMaps: no
• Trilinear optimization: A
• Anisotropic sample optimization: from
• Negative LOD bias: clamp
• Gamma adjusted AA: A
• AA mode: 1xAA, 4xAA, 8xQAA
• Transparency AA: Supersampling

Driver settings: ATi video cards (R(V)5×0)

• Catalyst a.i.: Standard
• Mipmap detail level: high quality
• Wait for vertical refresh: always off
• AA mode: 1xAA, 4xAA
• Adaptive anti-aliasing: quality
• High quality AF: off

Synthetic benchmarks

3DMark06

• The well-known series of benchmark from Futuremark is now published in version 2006 and consequently listens to the name “3DMark06″. Measure the performance of the graphics card four sequences of the six test scenes and show a graphic splendour, that their same looks. To achieve that the Finns set which is why not only massively the shader model 3.0 is used, extremely elaborate textures, spectacular particle effects, complex shadow computations to cutting-edge 3D technology, and as another highlight “High Dynamic Range Rendering” – short HDRR – are used. While Futuremark opts for FP16 HDR, which currently provides the best possible image quality, but is also expensive to calculate. Thus graphics cards without FP16 blending units, including the X to 0 series from ATi, two test scenes not run 8 x, which is why the number of points of these GPUs generally low fails. In addition, only graphics cards, can the MSAA to a FP16 Rendertarget can run, calculate the HDRR sequences with anti-aliasing. Graphics cards without this ability produce no score in use of anti-aliasing, and are therefore not included. There are more details about this program in our detailed article.

Game benchmarks

Anno 1701

• Although usually first-person shooter with amazing graphics can shine, so it has to anno 1701 does not take the German team of game needs to anno 1602 and anno also a graphics engine equip with 1503 successor of the legendary games, not to hide that from the entire competition. Will the eye get virtually everything, what is currently possible with modern hardware. Detailed textures, nice-looking landscapes, nice shader, such as, for example, the appearance of water including the refraction of waves and much more make anno 1701 a true feast for the eyes. Therefore, the strategy game, as one of the few of its kind, to participate in a graphics card review, is suitable as the GPU has to charge much. On modern FP16 HDRR refrain from anno 1701, however, instead only a simple bloom filter is used.

Company of heroes

• No matter where you look, there is games, in which the scenario is in the period of the second world war, at the latest after the successful language “Call of Duty” like sand on the sea. While some of these games know to fallen quite, others are only a true copy to the wave of success with to swimming. The strategy game “Company of Heroes”, which probably developed in 2006 to a small tip is undoubtedly to the former genus. One reason for this is a very good graphic engine, which men also heaviest guns, so that the titles of the competition have looking up. “Operation succeeded!”, is the only thing you can say in this respect for company of heroes. The game offers a lot for the eye and above all in the battle scenes it often happens that one forgets to give commands the troops, and admired the gameplay instead. When use benchmark we inserted the test sequence. The measurements without anti-aliasing, we have enabled in company of Heroes high-dynamic-range-rendering, while the feature using the anti-aliasing is disabled because it is rather a gamble with current drivers, whether the interaction of the two quality-enhancing settings is working or not.

F.E.A.R.

• Doom 3 gets competitive – and what for one! The programmers of new Gruselshooters f.e.a.r.seem to Doom 3 as a great model to have selected, which you seem to do better but almost everything. Among other things, the very oppressive atmosphere by a graphics quality is achieved, that of their peers is looking for. Shader in masses, wonderful bump-mapping, shadows very spectacular, detailed textures, as well as pretty-looking particle effects and much more Gets the player to face why f.e.a.r. already mandatory for a good benchmark course has become. We now use the full version, which has a built-in function of the benchmark for these purposes. That shows a battle and a larger explosion, has been introduced by a freely moving camera. The details are, set, the soft shadows with exception to the maximum.

Gothic 3

• Probably no doubt, the most awaited computer in 2006 listens to the name “Gothic 3″, which originated with the two popular predecessors. Even if the game is still very buggy even after some patches, so it enjoys a large popularity in Germany, as can be seen well on the sales. But in addition to the actual content of the game Gothic 3 can score also with the graphics engine, which is very well managed developers. So, not only the foresight is impressive, the small lovely details on figures and objects make the graphic into something special. That the engine so that not only looks, but also very Hardwareintensiv, was already from the outset clear. However, the graphics basic framework provides a decisive disadvantage: Sun currently no anti-aliasing can be applied, which is why the feature in the quality setting is not active; There is only the anisotropic filter in use.

Oblivion

• Already, the predecessor of “Morrorwind” caused a real enthusiasm in many gaming enthusiasts and with the successor of “Oblivion”, this appears to be no different. Hardly a game can be found currently more discussions on the Internet. But not only playful, also graphically persuades oblivion and drives, to achieve this goal, heavy guns. Never before HDRR with dynamic tone mapping was used so realistic. In addition, the game with nice textures shadow effects as well as in places highly unbecoming and particle effects can shine. Accordingly, oblivion is ideal for a good benchmark course. The used scene shows not only an elaborate lighting, also several shrubs and trees to see that are extremely strong burden on especially the GPU. Since the generation of GeForce 7 graphics cards can apply to a FP16 Rendertarget not a multi-sampling anti-aliasing, we have not shown the corresponding models in the quality benchmarks, to maintain with each other the comparisons of the accelerator.

Prey

• Children at a young age dress up for Carnival like as Indians. Many older brethren, however, would rather play the first-person shooter prey and the somewhat grumpy Indian hero Tommy helps save the world from an alien power. Tommy does this not only with found or accounted for alien weapons, but in addition with the traditional Doom 3-engine, which is been improved however vigorously for prey. In other words: The graphics are difficult to recognize. High resolution textures, chic shader effects, elaborate shadow calculations, and much more make the game a true feast for the eyes. The even recorded Timedemo shows both a section inside and outside a building and as a whole covers a large part of the game scene. Not missing weapons fire, many opponents and Tommy’s ability to move outside of his own body.

Serious Sam 2

• “Battle glows to the finger!” is most certainly the Divise in the first-person shooter “Serious Sam”, which not only great success a few years ago, but also has become more than just popular with the players of classical 3D shooters. The successor, who hears, the simple term “Serious Sam 2″ promises to be also a similar successful pleasure and combines the fun of shooting with a pretty appearance which is created by a large number of vertex shader operations, sharp textures, colorful effects, and a seemingly endless Gegnermasse. The used Timedemo “Greendale” plays in an environment with lots of vegetation and showing a normal scene with large numbers of enemies and massive explosions, as well as combat fire. Since the generation of GeForce 7 graphics cards can apply to a FP16 Rendertarget not a multi-sampling anti-aliasing, we have not shown the corresponding models in the quality benchmarks, to maintain with each other the comparisons of the accelerator.

Performance rating

Now finally we come to the performance rating. This is to be facilitated it, to get together all results at a glance. Because the synthetic benchmarks in the test course (i.e. the 3DMark05 and 3DMark06) have no game engine and thus do not reflect realistic statements about the speed in 3D-Titeln, we have removed from the rating of these applications.

Performance rating quality