X-bit labs

1GB Is a GB: Gainward Bliss 8800 GT 1024MB GS Graphics Card Review (page 8)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin , Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 02/14/2008 | 11:04 AM ]

Call of Juarez

That’s the first time that having more than 512MB of graphics memory is indeed useful. The Gainward Bliss 8800 GT 1024MB GS is two times as fast as the GeForce 8800 GT 512MB at a resolution of 1600x1200 and higher. Moreover, it beats the traditional leader of this test, the ATI Radeon HD 3870, and takes first place. The gap is 11-13% at resolutions above 1280x1024. The results are indicative of an old problem, though. We mean inefficient memory management by Nvidia’s driver. The Nvidia solution achieves the same result with 1GB of memory where the AMD card can do the same with only 512MB. This is almost surely a software problem. Nvidia has to improve its ForceWare driver.

Note also that even being first in this test, the Bliss 8800 GT 1024MB GS still cannot ensure a comfortable frame rate.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

The positive effect from 1GB of graphics memory is even more conspicuous here. The gain is 35% at 1280x1024 and 43% at 1920x1200. The Gainward card makes it more comfortable to play at high resolutions.