X3: Terran Conflict

Save for one test mode, the graphics cards both show excellent scalability on the two platforms in this game. The Core i7 beats its predecessor at the default as well as overclocked frequencies.

Left 4 Dead

You have to manually specify the AFR2 rendering method in the driver in order to enable SLI mode in this game:

Unfortunately, we didn’t do that for our comparative review of CrossFire and SLI technologies. Hopefully, this problem will be corrected in the next version of the driver by means of a special settings profile. Here are the results:

The GeForce GTX 295 shows good performance scalability in Left 4 Dead until the resolution of 1920x1200 in the high-quality graphics mode. The GeForce GTX 285 is almost not limited by the platform at 1920x1200 in the low-quality graphics mode. The newer processor and faster memory wins in the competition between the Core 2 Quad QX9650 and Core i7.

Lost Planet: Colonies

The graphics cards are largely indifferent to the change of platform and CPU overclocking in this game. The only exception is that the GeForce GTX 295 delivers a higher average speed in the first scene of the test at 1280x960 without FSAA and AF.

Cryostasis: Sleep of Reason

The GeForce GTX 295 accelerates on the Core i7 platform at 1280x960. There is nothing interesting in the other test modes.