X-bit labs

Absolute Leader: XFX GeForce 8800 Ultra Extreme Graphics Card Review (page 19)

Category: Video

by Alexey Stepin , Yaroslav Lyssenko, Anton Shilov

[ 06/19/2007 | 11:12 AM ]

Conclusion

So, GeForce 8800 Ultra deserves the title of today’s fastest gaming graphics accelerator. However, we have also confirmed the results of our preliminary testing that we carried out some time ago: the advantage of GeForce 8800 Ultra over GeForce 8800 GTX may vary from a few percent to 20%, but on average equals 8%-15%. We have detected only two cases when the performance gain from GeForce 8800 Ultra can bear real practical value for a gamer: F.E.A.R. Extraction Point and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl , both tested in 1920x1200 resolution.

In a few other games, such as Prey , Gothic 3 or Neverwinter Nights 2, we can claim that this solution features some performance reserve that may be efficient again in 1920x1200 resolution. GeForce 8800 Ultra may reveal its advantages even better in higher resolutions like 2048x1536 or 2560x1600, but there are very few monitors that can handle resolutions like that and they are pretty expensive. Nevertheless, we are going to check this out in one of our next articles.

All in all, GeForce 8800 Ultra could be a disappointment for an end-user, because it doesn’t boast any significant advantages over the GeForce 8800 GTX except for a few individual cases described above, but costs considerably more. Nevertheless, the solution is still the today’s fastest single-card gaming solution, so Nvidia did successfully strengthen its positions as the manufacturer of world’s fastest gaming accelerator. They have also demonstrated that their technical potential is sufficient to raise the frequency of such complicated chip as G80 without pushing its power consumption beyond acceptable limits – something former ATI Technologies failed to achieve with their R600. Anyway, Nvidia did attain their primary goal: to prove their technology leadership in the consumer 3D market.

As for XFX GeForce 8800 Ultra Extreme, this is undoubtedly a high-end product for those who need to get maximum gaming performance at any price, despite the cost of solutions like that. Thanks to higher clock speeds, this card is slightly faster than the standard GeForce 8800 Ultra in gaming tests, but this performance advantage is practically the same as that of GeForce 8800 Ultra over the GeForce 8800 GTX counterpart, or maybe even smaller than that.

XFX currently has an even faster GeForce 8800 Ultra modification with XXX index, but it will hardly be able to significantly outperform GeForce 8800 Ultra Extreme. In any case, if you are one of computer gaming enthusiasts and do not care as much about the financial side of the picture as you care about the performance, then XFX GeForce 8800 Ultra Extreme is certainly your best choice. Moreover, with two cards like that working in SLI mode you will immediately achieve unprecedented gaming performance. But be prepared to pay about $1500 for that. Also check that your system case can accommodate two graphics cards like that and ensure proper airflow for efficient cooling.

Highs:

• Impressive performance in contemporary games;
• Excellent anisotropic filtering quality;
• Low level of noise;
• Low power consumption (compared against AMD Radeon HD 2900 XT);
• New revision of G80 GPU with higher frequency potential.

Lows:

• Relatively small advantage over GeForce 8800 GTX;
• The cooling system casing may not let you install this solution onto some mainboards;
• May be incompatible with some mainboards/chipsets;
• Relatively modest accessories bundle;
• High price.