Performance in Synthetic Benchmarks

Futuremark 3DMark03

The Leadtek has an excellent general result in 3Dmark03, but this benchmark defaults to 1024x768 resolution were the graphics memory subsystem has the least influence on the results. So, we must examine the results of each of the subtest independently to see if this high overall score is well deserved.

The two WinFast PX6600 GT TDH cards aren’t too fast in the first and simplest test, especially in lower resolutions. The SLI platform is slower than the GeForce 6800 GT and the RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition. Overclocking raises the Leadtek kit to the level of the GeForce 6800 Ultra.

Leadtek’s SLI solution is successfully competing with the GeForce 6800 Ultra after we have enabled full-screen anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering. In 1600x1200, however, its performance goes down to the level of the GeForce 6800 GT. Based on an older version of DirectX, the first test isn’t descriptive of the capabilities of modern graphics cards. Let’s see what we have in more difficult tests.

The second test can make use of the architectural features of the NV4x family processors. Coupled with the high frequencies of the Leadtek kit, the SLI platform leaves even the GeForce 6800 Ultra behind.

It can’t retain this position for long in the “eye candy” mode, however. The lack of memory and the smaller efficiency of the two 128-buses affect the performance of the SLI platform negatively in resolutions above 1024x768. Overclocking is almost of zero effect here since it is the memory frequency that’s important for doing full-screen anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering, and we raised this frequency by very little.