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Gainward 7800 GT 512MB AGP vs XFX 7800 GS Extreme 256MB AGP

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10 Apr 2006
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Gainward 7800 GT 512MB AGP vs XFX 7800 GS Extreme 256MB using F.E.A.R.

A Small Comparison of the Two Newest NVidia AGP cards

This is a small comparison / benchmark using the in-game test in F.E.A.R. comparing the new Gainward 7800 GT/GS (512MB) AGP and the XFX 7800 GS 256MB Extreme Edition AGP cards.

I used the same settings for each card. These were:
- 1280 x 960 res
- 2 x AA
- 8 x AF
- Max detail for everything except 'videos',
- Soft shadows off
- Vertical sync = off

All normal graphics settings were maximum /on.
Please see my sig for my system.
Using the Extreme-G 84.21v.2 drivers from Tweaksrus.
----------------------------------------

XFX 7800 GS Extreme Edition 256 DDR3 running at 475MHz & 1350MHz (compared to its out-of-the box o/clock of 440Mhz and 1300MHz) I found these o/clocked settings the best for this card):

Results:
FPS min 22
FPS avg 35
FPS Max 71

Distribution:
9% below 25 FPS
71% 25 to 40 FPS
20% above 40 FPS

Comment: Quite playable.

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Gainward 7800 GS (GT) 512MB DDR3 AGP running at stock speeds (425MHz & 1200MHz)

Results:
FPS min 27
FPS avg 39
FPS max 71

Distribution:
0% below 25 FPS
71% 25 to 40 FPS
29% above 40 FPS

Comment: Bit of a jump.

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Gainward 7800 GS (GT) 512MB DDR3 AGP o/clocked to 460MHz & 1300MHz:

Results:
FPS min 27
FPS avg 40
FPS max 72

Distribution:
0% below 25 FPS
73% 25 to 40 FPS
27% above 40 FPS

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Comment: Not much of a difference from the un-overclocked results. Slightly higher mid-range, but slightly slower in max FPS... Go figure!

Conclusion:
This is really basic, but adding together all the improvements in results, of the Gainward card over the XFX card, there is approximately a 20% improvement in frame rates. The biggest jump was the 9% increase in FPS at 25-or-lower category. This is a good result, (If you own the new Gainward card). Dropping below 25FPS during game play spells one thing... "lag". These results are very approximate and only represent one system and not a true game-play experience (I don't think) -so your FPS would be different. But the direct comparison between the cards (without changing any settings) does illustrate the slight edge the new Gainward has over the XFX 256MB card.
Is the newest Gainward worth the extra cash??? I'm not really sure yet... (for my system anyway...) unless money is no object ;)

Wait until the 7900 AGP ? We'll have to see if it ever makes it to production.

One extra note: the new Gainward is amazingly quiet, and stays like that, even under full load...
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to any comments!

wildweb_uk
:cool:
 
Last edited:
Gibbo said:
Hi there

Thanks for the report! :)

I think though you will find that as you increase visual details the Gainward card will handle things better.

Also increase your memory too 1400MHz as that is its rated speed so should handle it with ease. :)

Ok. But what do you mean by 'rated speed'? It's stock speed is 1200MHz...
Thanks
 
Gibbo said:
Yes but the memory is rated for 1400MHz, Gainward just downclock it for some strange reason, or maybe they opted for lower voltage for even cooler running. :)

Hi Gibbo,
Upped the clock to 1400MHz memory, and just noticed after an hour of playing FEAR, some pixelation going on. I have never *ever* seen this before. Could this be due to the OC'd memory or the processor?
Thanks.
 
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