XFX Triple SLI - 8800 Ultra's in 3 Way SLI
Test Setup
Published: 25th February 2008 | Source: XFX | Price: £1442 |
Test Setup
For this high-end Tri-SLI review we are going to use the normal graphics card hardware, but with a beefier PSU, DDR2 and a 780i motherboard. It's worth noting that a monster 1100w Tagan was required for the Tri-SLI system with an overclocked quad.
Games and benchmarks used
I tried to get as many games benchmarked in the time I had and hopefully I've covered a decent amount for all of you out there.
Synthetic Benchmarks
Please note all Synthetic benchmarks were run at stock settings; just as the free ones would be, as well as 1920 x 1200, with 4 x AA added. All benchmarks are repeated three times for consistency.
FutureMark 3DMark03
FutureMark 3DMark05
FutureMark 3DMark06
Gaming Benchmarks
All gaming benchmarks are run through at a demanding stage of the game with no savepoints to affect FPS. These are manual run-though's approximating 3 minutes and all gaming benchmarks are run three times through the same points for consistency. We hope that this gives an accurate and interesting depiction of "real-life" gaming situations. Note the resolutions and AA each game was run at.
All gaming tests were performed in Windows Vista Ultimate, under DX10 if available.
Please note all Synthetic benchmarks were run at stock settings; just as the free ones would be, as well as 1920 x 1200, with 4 x AA added. All benchmarks are repeated three times for consistency.
FutureMark 3DMark03
FutureMark 3DMark05
FutureMark 3DMark06
Gaming Benchmarks
All gaming benchmarks are run through at a demanding stage of the game with no savepoints to affect FPS. These are manual run-though's approximating 3 minutes and all gaming benchmarks are run three times through the same points for consistency. We hope that this gives an accurate and interesting depiction of "real-life" gaming situations. Note the resolutions and AA each game was run at.
All gaming tests were performed in Windows Vista Ultimate, under DX10 if available.
Call of Duty 4 - 1920 x 1200, 4 x AA set in-game
Oblivion - 1920 x 1200, 4 x AA set in drivers and HDR set on in-game. Settings on "Ultra"
F.E.A.R. - 1920 x 1200, 4 x AA set in game, soft shadows enabled
Bioshock - 1920 x 1200, all settings to maximum in-game
Unreal Tournament 3 - all settings set to maximum in-game
Company of Heroes - DirectX10 patch. 1920 x 1200 with in game settings as here.
Crysis - 1680 x 1050, all in-game settings set to "High" and "Very High for Tri SLI
Again, all game run-through's are repeated three times for consistency and accuracy.
I've used the latest official Forceware drivers and enabled Tri SLI, leaving the drivers to use the preset configurations for load-balancing (which seemed to be Triple SLI AF rendering).
Most Recent Comments
Yes it was a pleasent surprise tbh, the 9 series should make it even betterQuote
Great read. The results do look good, and the comment about how the games `feel` is a better qualifier for me.
I`d not even entertain this, even with planning ahead months in advance to afford it. Does look nice tho hehe
Heat is an issue for me; power is crazy talk - but obviously a requirement, which is where the heat is going; drivers and/or a card being tempremental, I can do without, just don`t need it ontop of other pc dodgyness.
All said and done, I`m banking on the top end single card for the generation to come.
Be nice to see single slotted cards or wc solutions of this being tested.
Some fine benches too.Quote
I`d not even entertain this, even with planning ahead months in advance to afford it. Does look nice tho hehe
Heat is an issue for me; power is crazy talk - but obviously a requirement, which is where the heat is going; drivers and/or a card being tempremental, I can do without, just don`t need it ontop of other pc dodgyness.
All said and done, I`m banking on the top end single card for the generation to come.
Be nice to see single slotted cards or wc solutions of this being tested.
Some fine benches too.Quote
Unless I came into some serious wedge then its not something i'd consider.. I'm with most here and reckon on a single card top end when it finally arrives.
Quick thing Matt.. Did you give overclocking it a go at all or would it have caused a total meltdown?Quote
Quick thing Matt.. Did you give overclocking it a go at all or would it have caused a total meltdown?Quote
The performance gains does not justify the price at all, i mean seriously why cant they just get standard SLI to just work properly before moving on to tri, quad and so on...
For this cash i would want to see stable FPS, not 40-500fps ranges, you look at any competitive gamer and the key thing for there setup is constant FPS, why else do you think most of them stick to the low 800x600 res?!?Quote
For this cash i would want to see stable FPS, not 40-500fps ranges, you look at any competitive gamer and the key thing for there setup is constant FPS, why else do you think most of them stick to the low 800x600 res?!?Quote
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Maybe with the 9 series soon Ultras/GTX will get cheaper and this might be a viable option before we know it (to those who aren't swimming in money)Quote