Left 4 Dead 2 – DirectX 9
Settings: 1920×1080, 8xMSAA, 16xAF, Very High
The line graph above clearly shows just how close the HIS 6870 IceQ X Turbo X is to a default clocked 5870. I should point out that all the testing on all three cards was done with the upcoming Catalyst 11.4 which gives a boost to Left 4 Dead 2 in the 6xxx series cards. The combination of the higher clocks and the new driver certainly make it a close call between the historically faster 5870 and the HIS 6870 IceQ X Turbo X.
Assassin’s Creed 2 – DirectX 9
Settings: 1920×1080, 4xMSAA, All options in game set to highest
Even without V-Sync, this game seems to set an upper limit of 64 FPS which if you can maintain it, makes for a smooth playing experience. The reality is that frame rates will drop depending on what you are doing and where you are in the game. A regular 6870 at these settings is no slouch, although it does tend to become choppy a lot more often than the other two. Whilst going by the hard numbers, the 5870 edges out a lead, the HIS 6870 IceQ X Turbo X plays pretty much the same to the naked eye. It is in fact one of the smoothest game experiences I’ve had with Assassin’s Creed II.
