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Club-3D
7800GT 256MB: High end graphics are great but for a
cheaper option, a step down is often almost as good for a lot
less. We see if this is applicable to Club-3D's 7800GT offering. |
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Doom
3 - Performance
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Min
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Max
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Avg
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Club-3D
7800GT 1680x1050 4xAA 8xAF
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42
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63
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59.54
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Ref
6800GT 1280x1024 4xAA 4xAF
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39
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63
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51.19
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When
I first ran this game, having swapped over from the 6800GT,
I noticed an immediate difference in the frame rates. The Club-3D
7800GT was giving an apparent solid 60FPS where as the 6800GT
would drop frames when the action became heavy. It became apparent
that turning up the settings was going to be very easy with
this card. High settings and a very high resolution of 1680x1050,
as well as 4x anti-aliasing and 8x anisotropic filtering just
didn't faze the 7800GT. It still dropped a few times from the
solid 60 of most of the test, but with the dark visuals of D3
and limited need for 'snap shot' shooting, it wasn't something
that was detrimental gameplay.
Doom
3 - Image Quality
I've
always liked Nvidia over ATI when it comes to Doom 3 and image
quality, and the Club-3D 7800GT is no exception. While anti-aliasing
isn't a big thing in Doom 3, it certainly helps to improve the
quality at certain junctures of the game. The screenshot above
is for me, the best I've seen so far.
Half
Life 2 - Performance
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Min
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Max
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Avg
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Club-3D
7800GT 1440x900 4xAA 8xAF
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26
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71
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46.83
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Ref
6800GT 1024x768 4xAA 8xAF
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20
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84
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42.80
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Half
Life 2: Lost Coast is a 10 minute gameplay demo to show off
the effects of HDR on the game engine, and this can have some
impact on frame rates. Of course you also need a card that will
support HDR, which the 7800GT does. Gameplay is very smooth
on the Lost Coast even at 1440x900, 4 anti-aliasing, 8x anisotropic
filtering, although that is about the highest you will get.
Any higher and the frame rates drop too often to maintain smooth
play. This of course limits the non-widescreen monitor crowd
to 1280x1024 which runs very well indeed.
Half
Life 2 - Image Quality
I'm
not all that impressed by the HDR in Lost Coast personally; no
doubt it looks better than basic Half Life 2 imagery but I don't
think that HDR has been shown off to it's best ability, especially
when you compare it with Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Still, the
Club-3D 7800GT does create a very nice image on the Lost Coast.
Pay special attention to the wire fence which while the screenshot
can't convey the smooth look of it all under actual gameplay,
will hopefully give you some idea of just how defined everything
looks playing the Lost Coast with the Club-3D 7800GT.
NEXT
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