|
Albatron
6600GT
|
Min
|
Max
|
Avg
|
|
No
AA/AF, 1280x1024
|
25
|
62
|
46.23
|
|
4xAA/4xAF,
1024x768
|
20
|
62
|
41.13
|
Without
graphic enhancements, the Albatron PC6600GT handles UT2K4 quite
well, even at 1280x1024 (dedicated gamers will probably want
to lower some of the settings from high to ensure a consistent
60 and up for online play, something that is certainly achievable).
The graph is pretty much consistent in its ups and downs, with
the particularly high spikes indicating a smaller area for the
card to render. This matches the faster paced nature of the
gameplay. Adding some AA and/or AF slows thing down quite a
bit, as even with 2xAA and 4xAF, the framerates spike lower
more often, and this can often be detrimental to your health.
4xAA and 4xAF at 1024x768 would be considered playable for most,
and if its just some offline action I would be happy, but check
out the screenshots below.
Image
Quality
1024x768,
No AA, No AF
6600GT
left, X600XT right
There
is an obvious difference between the 0xAA/0xAF and 4xAA/4xAF
but put the 2xAA/4xAF next to the 4xAA/4xAF and you have to
look harder for the differences in image quality. Now add in
the fact that you are moving pretty fast in this game and the
choice of what level of enhancements to choose becomes easier.
1024x768,
2xAA, 4xAF
6600GT
left, X600XT right
The
image quality is worth going to 2xAA, but the performance hit,
while quite mild, is enough to make me think twice about moving
up to 4xAA especially since 2xAA looks almost as good as 4x.
1024x768,
4xAA, 4xAF
6600GT
left, X600XT right
Need
For Speed: Underground 2
A
quick blast around town to view the sites and outrun the other
drivers.
|
Albatron
6600GT
|
Min
|
Max
|
Avg
|
|
2x
AA/2xAF, 1280x1024
|
23
|
37
|
30.63
|
|
8xAA/8xAF,
1024x768
|
29
|
44
|
38.99
|
Despite
only averaging 39 fps, the nature of the games visuals (the
emphasis being on your car and the city skyline) and the fast
paced action make this quite playable. You will notice slow
downs during the rain and getting off the startline but for
a quick blast around the city 8xAA, 8xAF at 1024x768 is fine.
This is a game that looks a lot better the higher the resolution,
and while the fast pace makes anti-aliasing less of an issue,
it is nice to just soften the edges a little regardless. Going
for 2xAA and 2xAF, we get borderline playable rates at 1280x1024.
For online play you will likely want to run at something like
2xAA, 8xAF at 1024x768 to ensure high frame rates during the
rain and at the startline while still preventing the blurring
as the road stretches off into the distance.
Image
Quality
1024x768,
No AA, No AF
6600GT
left, X600XT right
Checking
out the image quality and keeping in mind the online play
statement above, if you compare the NoAA, NoAF screenshot
to the 2x/8x screenshot, you'll see a noticeable difference
(look carefully at the carbon fibre hood). This difference
lessens as we increase the anti-aliasing, enough to make me
favour (along with the performance) 2xAA with 8xAF.
1024x768,
6600GT
2xAA/8xAF
left, 4xAA/8xAF mid, 8xAA/8xAF right
