X-bit labs

MSI NX6800GT-T2D256E Graphics Card Review (page 23)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin

[ 07/22/2005 | 12:33 PM ]

The MSI card performs better in the second test where it equals the performance of the RADEON X800 XL. Overclocking gives the NX6800GT such a big impact that it becomes capable of competing with the RADEON X850 XT and is very close to the results of the RADEON X850 XT Platinum Edition.

The overall picture changes a little when we turn on full-screen anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering: the NX6800GT goes abreast to the RADEON X800 XL in the first two resolutions, but its memory controller cannot cope with the increased load in 1600x1200 anymore. Overclocking is less rewarding here than when anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering were off.

The last test is the hardest of the three, being filled with abnormally complex pixel shaders. The low frequency of the GPU hamstrings the MSI NS6800GT: despite the support of Shader Model 3.0, the card is a little slower than the RADEON X800 XL.

When full-screen anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering are both in use, the MSI card quite successfully competes with the same RADEON X800 XL in all resolutions, including 1600x1200, and – when overclocked – with the RADEON X850 XT.

Thus, we should acknowledge the fact that the RADEON X800 XL is generally better in 3DMark05 than the MSI NX6800GT.