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We use a fully-patched Microsoft Windows Vista to test out our cards. As for drivers, the NVIDIA cards all used Forceware 169.28, except for the 9600GT which used Forceware 174.12 Beta drivers, while the ATI cards were tested with Catalyst 8.2 drivers.
And these are the games we benched, with some information on our chosen settings:
Bioshock:
For this benchmark, all of the Detail settings were set to 'High'. All of the graphic option switches were set to 'On', with the exception of the following three settings: Vsync, Windowed mode, and Force Global Lighting.
We used FRAPS to measure frame rate performance. The FRAPS run was 138 seconds, triggered from pulling the switch in the sub at game's beginning. The sub's dive involves many big models moving around, which should strain the GPU's and be a good measure of the game's engine.
Call of Juarez:
We used the stand-alone Call of Juarez DX10 benchmarking program for these results.
For our AA testing, we used a setting of 2x.
Crysis:
These benchmarks were performed using 'fly-by' GPU test found within the single-player pre-release demo version of the game. All graphic settings were on High.' For AA, we used a setting of 4x. DX10 mode was used. The game has also been fully patched (1.1).
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars:
We use this id FPS benchmark to test out a bit higher resolutions (1280x1024,1600x1200). The following settings were used: medium texture qualities, normal lighting quality, high shader effects, high terrain and foliage quality, ultra shader level, and shadows were on.
Unreal Tournament 3:
We tested the game using a fly-through of the vehicle capture-the-flag map 'Suspense.'ShangriLa (map) running for 90 seconds. Details were set to 'High', and a AF setting of 4x was used.
World In Conflict:
We used the built-in benchmark of the demo version of this game. We ran the benchmark in DX9 rendering mode, with a 'High' level of quality. For the AA testing, we used a setting of 4x, and a setting of 16x for AF.
If you would like any further information about our benchmark settings, feel free to ask us in the forums.
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But the 9600 GT's are shaping up to be pretty good deals. Although, with big price cut on HD 3870 cards, it's a tough call. Either way you can get a lot of game power for about 200 bucks though
- Christine
Actually we don't send them back -- we just add the reviewed cards to what I call the "Archive of Justice" (which is basically a tall shelf, filled with video cards.)
But unfortunately I can't check the memory out for you. I'm not at the office. Perhaps tomorrow however.
After looking for a decent mid range gpu i came across this card. With this card overclocked how much improvement would it be to the card used on teh review?
Well, the Palit 9600GT is an overclocked card as well, with 700 MHz core, 1000 MHz memory clock. The MSI card has a 700 MHz core, and a bit slower memory at 950 MHz.
Basically you are looking at pretty similar level of performance.
There are multiple Sonics. The revised Sonic has different (better) cooler, and 1GB of memory. The Sonic that I reviewed came out at launch and had 512MB.
I'm not sure (this is all going from memory) but I think they also removed the plastic shroud on the new Sonic.
The new Sonic also had the 1GB designation in its name. It was like 9600GT Sonic 1GB I believe, whereas this one was just the 9600GT Sonic.
GET THEM you wont regret it:)