-n7-
09-05-2008, 05:48 PM
Review
System Specs
QX6850 @ 3.6 GHz (9x400)
Asus P5Q Deluxe (Ket's mBIOS 1306)
8 GB Mushkin 996580 @ DDR2-960 5-5-15-15
Raptor 150 GB & Seagate 1 TB (games installed on those)
Corsair HX1000 1000w
Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
BFG 8800 GTX OC clocks: 600/900/1404
eVGA GTX 260 SC clocks: 621/1026/1296
BFG GTX 280 OC clocks: 615/1107/1350
Latest official drivers for all cards were used.
BFG 8800 GTX OC Forceware 175.19 configuration (http://img382.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettings8800gtx17oi5.jpg)
eVGA GTX 260 SC Forceware 177.41 configuration (http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettingsgtx260177fe9.jpg)
BFG GTX 280 OC Forceware 177.41 configuration (http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettingsgtx280177mj6.jpg)
3D settings were left at defaults other than quality, which was set to "High Quality", & vsync, which was forced "Off", or when i needed to apply AA/AF to a game that didn't have in-game options for that.
For all benchs, i ran tests at least 3 times or more (excepting: CS:Source - twice; Plasma Pong - once).
Results posted are averaged from the multiple runs.
UT3 botmatch @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed
Warfare: Floodgate
8800 GTX
min - 33 fps
ave - 42.02 fps
max - 53.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 41 fps
ave - 56.39 fps
max - 72.33 fps
GTX 280
min - 51.67 fps
ave - 66.04 fps
max - 88.67 fps
Deathmatch: Defiance
8800 GTX
min - 37.66 fps
ave - 50.49 fps
max - 68.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 49 fps
ave - 66.1 fps
max - 91 fps
GTX 280
min - 60.67 fps
ave - 82.72 fps
max - 124.67 fps
UT3 botmatch @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
Warfare: Floodgate
8800 GTX
min - 15.33 fps
ave - 21.07 fps
max - 27 fps
GTX 260
min - 20.33 fps
ave - 30.07 fps
max - 37.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 28.67 fps
ave - 36.85 fps
max - 44.33 fps
Deathmatch: Defiance
8800 GTX
min - 5.67 fps
ave - 23.72 fps
max - 36.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 26.33 fps
ave - 36.96 fps
max - 51 fps
GTX 280
min - 34 fps
ave - 42.96 fps
max - 56.67 fps
Bioshock Fraps run @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed
8800 GTX
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 41.87 fps
max - 49 fps
GTX 260
min - 47.33 fps
ave - 56.13 fps
max - 67.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 56.33 fps
ave - 69.63 fps
max - 84 fps
Bioshock Fraps run @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 16.67 fps
ave - 20.66 fps
max - 27.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 23.33 fps
ave - 27.37 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 28 fps
ave - 34.42 fps
max - 43.33 fps
GRID Fraps run on Le Mans @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 22.33 fps
ave - 29.16 fps
max - 34.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 30 fps
ave - 39.38 fps
max - 46.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 35.67 fps
ave - 46.49 fps
max - 56.33 fps
UT2004 botmatch @ 2560x1600 8xMSAA 16xAF
Onslaught: Ascendancy
8800 GTX
min - 49 fps
ave - 70.18 fps
max - 86.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 59 fps
ave - 79.33 fps
max - 101.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 63.33 fps
ave - 85.79 fps
max - 111.67 fps
Call of Duty 4 Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 19.33 fps
ave - 31.07 fps
max - 51.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 31.33 fps
ave - 46.07 fps
max - 76.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 32.67 fps
ave - 53.12 fps
max - 84.67 fps
HL2: Episode 2 Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 8xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 15 fps
ave - 26.86 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 26.33 fps
ave - 51.18 fps
max - 67 fps
GTX 280
min - 27.67 fps
ave - 53.62 fps
max - 69.33 fps
Clive Barker's Jericho Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4x"Smoothing" (in-game AA)
8800 GTX
min - 12 fps
ave - 16.66 fps
max - 22 fps
GTX 260
min - 20.67 fps
ave - 26.47 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 24.33 fps
ave - 31.74 fps
max - 39.67 fps
Mass Effect Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed
8800 GTX
min - 23.67 fps
ave - 35.67 fps
max - 42.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 32.67 fps
ave - 46.42 fps
max - 55 fps
GTX 280
min - 39.33 fps
ave - 55.22 fps
max - 63.67 fps
Mass Effect Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 11 fps
ave - 15.83 fps
max - 19 fps
GTX 260
min - 17.33 fps
ave - 23.59 fps
max - 27.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 20.33 fps
ave - 28.13 fps
max - 33 fps
Devil May Cry 4 Performance Test @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 8xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 20 fps
ave - 25.73 fps
max - 32 fps
GTX 260
min - 30.67 fps
ave - 37.96 fps
max - 45.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 32 fps
ave - 43.78 fps
max - 53 fps
Note on the GTX 280: Saw weird big fps drops in some runs. I discarded those results, but wanted to mention the oddity.
F.E.A.R. benchmark @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 23.33 fps
ave - 42.67 fps
max - 96 fps
GTX 260
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 66 fps
max - 137.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 39.67 fps
ave - 76 fps
max - 165.67 fps
CS:Source Stresstest @ 2560x1600 maxed 8xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
ave - 82.7 fps
GTX 260
ave - 158.28 fps
GTX 280
ave - 170.6 fps
Crysis Fraps run @ 1920x1200 all high 64-bit DX9
8800 GTX
min - 19.33 fps
ave - 24.51 fps
max - 28.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 37.73 fps
max - 41.67 fps
Crysis Fraps run @ 1920x1200 all high 64-bit DX9 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 15.67 fps
ave - 17.56 fps
max - 21 fps
GTX 280
min - 19 fps
ave - 21.84 fps
max - 29.67 fps
And most importantly...:D
Plasma Pong Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 60 fps
ave - 67.28 fps
max - 70 fps
GTX 280
min - 58 fps
ave - 64.88 fps
max - 68 fps
Impressions & Pics
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2064/all3dy5.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=all3dy5.jpg)
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5718/all3chillinsh3.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=all3chillinsh3.jpg)
I'd like to say i'm very happy with my new GTX 280, but that wouldn't really be the whole story.
My old 8800 GTX was a very good card, & held its own for a long time.
My new GTX 280 is certainly a pretty huge improvement, & the GTX 260's performance sits in between the two quite nicely.
This review was supposed to happen a long time ago, in July.
I ordered a BFG GTX 280 back on July 10th, nearly two months ago.
But it turned out to be one of the defective ones that overheat, so back to BFG it went.
They helpfully shipped me back an overheating defective replacement, so again, i had to fight with them.
Finally after what can really only be described as a horrible nightmare, i received what seems to be a functional third GTX 280.
I say seems, because i have zero faith in the quality control that nVidia & BFG are performing (or aren't) on these cards.
As far as i am concerned, only time will tell if this card is actually okay.
Thus far though, at least it doesn't overheat.
In the interim, i purchased an eVGA GTX 260 to play with, & it has done well for me.
Aside from the issues getting a good one, the GTX 280 performs well & scales consistantly, & provides a much-needed boost over my 8800 GTX for newer games @ my 2560x1600 resolution.
I will add more impression of actually playing games (other than for Fraps scores) if i get some time :p
Noise is not perceptible at idle, however, it does become quite loud at load, louder than the 8800 GTX.
It seems the cooling is certainly not overkill, as usually the fan hits 100% or very close to during games, which concerns me alot for future more intensive games that will no doubt run even hotter.
AMD's dual slot coolers are usually even louder at load, but at least there's always lots of headroom, as you never see 100% fan unless you manually set it there.
Thanx for reading. :)
System Specs
QX6850 @ 3.6 GHz (9x400)
Asus P5Q Deluxe (Ket's mBIOS 1306)
8 GB Mushkin 996580 @ DDR2-960 5-5-15-15
Raptor 150 GB & Seagate 1 TB (games installed on those)
Corsair HX1000 1000w
Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
BFG 8800 GTX OC clocks: 600/900/1404
eVGA GTX 260 SC clocks: 621/1026/1296
BFG GTX 280 OC clocks: 615/1107/1350
Latest official drivers for all cards were used.
BFG 8800 GTX OC Forceware 175.19 configuration (http://img382.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettings8800gtx17oi5.jpg)
eVGA GTX 260 SC Forceware 177.41 configuration (http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettingsgtx260177fe9.jpg)
BFG GTX 280 OC Forceware 177.41 configuration (http://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=systemsettingsgtx280177mj6.jpg)
3D settings were left at defaults other than quality, which was set to "High Quality", & vsync, which was forced "Off", or when i needed to apply AA/AF to a game that didn't have in-game options for that.
For all benchs, i ran tests at least 3 times or more (excepting: CS:Source - twice; Plasma Pong - once).
Results posted are averaged from the multiple runs.
UT3 botmatch @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed
Warfare: Floodgate
8800 GTX
min - 33 fps
ave - 42.02 fps
max - 53.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 41 fps
ave - 56.39 fps
max - 72.33 fps
GTX 280
min - 51.67 fps
ave - 66.04 fps
max - 88.67 fps
Deathmatch: Defiance
8800 GTX
min - 37.66 fps
ave - 50.49 fps
max - 68.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 49 fps
ave - 66.1 fps
max - 91 fps
GTX 280
min - 60.67 fps
ave - 82.72 fps
max - 124.67 fps
UT3 botmatch @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
Warfare: Floodgate
8800 GTX
min - 15.33 fps
ave - 21.07 fps
max - 27 fps
GTX 260
min - 20.33 fps
ave - 30.07 fps
max - 37.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 28.67 fps
ave - 36.85 fps
max - 44.33 fps
Deathmatch: Defiance
8800 GTX
min - 5.67 fps
ave - 23.72 fps
max - 36.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 26.33 fps
ave - 36.96 fps
max - 51 fps
GTX 280
min - 34 fps
ave - 42.96 fps
max - 56.67 fps
Bioshock Fraps run @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed
8800 GTX
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 41.87 fps
max - 49 fps
GTX 260
min - 47.33 fps
ave - 56.13 fps
max - 67.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 56.33 fps
ave - 69.63 fps
max - 84 fps
Bioshock Fraps run @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 16.67 fps
ave - 20.66 fps
max - 27.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 23.33 fps
ave - 27.37 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 28 fps
ave - 34.42 fps
max - 43.33 fps
GRID Fraps run on Le Mans @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 22.33 fps
ave - 29.16 fps
max - 34.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 30 fps
ave - 39.38 fps
max - 46.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 35.67 fps
ave - 46.49 fps
max - 56.33 fps
UT2004 botmatch @ 2560x1600 8xMSAA 16xAF
Onslaught: Ascendancy
8800 GTX
min - 49 fps
ave - 70.18 fps
max - 86.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 59 fps
ave - 79.33 fps
max - 101.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 63.33 fps
ave - 85.79 fps
max - 111.67 fps
Call of Duty 4 Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 19.33 fps
ave - 31.07 fps
max - 51.33 fps
GTX 260
min - 31.33 fps
ave - 46.07 fps
max - 76.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 32.67 fps
ave - 53.12 fps
max - 84.67 fps
HL2: Episode 2 Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 8xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 15 fps
ave - 26.86 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 26.33 fps
ave - 51.18 fps
max - 67 fps
GTX 280
min - 27.67 fps
ave - 53.62 fps
max - 69.33 fps
Clive Barker's Jericho Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4x"Smoothing" (in-game AA)
8800 GTX
min - 12 fps
ave - 16.66 fps
max - 22 fps
GTX 260
min - 20.67 fps
ave - 26.47 fps
max - 33.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 24.33 fps
ave - 31.74 fps
max - 39.67 fps
Mass Effect Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed
8800 GTX
min - 23.67 fps
ave - 35.67 fps
max - 42.67 fps
GTX 260
min - 32.67 fps
ave - 46.42 fps
max - 55 fps
GTX 280
min - 39.33 fps
ave - 55.22 fps
max - 63.67 fps
Mass Effect Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 11 fps
ave - 15.83 fps
max - 19 fps
GTX 260
min - 17.33 fps
ave - 23.59 fps
max - 27.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 20.33 fps
ave - 28.13 fps
max - 33 fps
Devil May Cry 4 Performance Test @ 2560x1600 DX10 maxed 8xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 20 fps
ave - 25.73 fps
max - 32 fps
GTX 260
min - 30.67 fps
ave - 37.96 fps
max - 45.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 32 fps
ave - 43.78 fps
max - 53 fps
Note on the GTX 280: Saw weird big fps drops in some runs. I discarded those results, but wanted to mention the oddity.
F.E.A.R. benchmark @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
min - 23.33 fps
ave - 42.67 fps
max - 96 fps
GTX 260
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 66 fps
max - 137.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 39.67 fps
ave - 76 fps
max - 165.67 fps
CS:Source Stresstest @ 2560x1600 maxed 8xMSAA 16xAF
8800 GTX
ave - 82.7 fps
GTX 260
ave - 158.28 fps
GTX 280
ave - 170.6 fps
Crysis Fraps run @ 1920x1200 all high 64-bit DX9
8800 GTX
min - 19.33 fps
ave - 24.51 fps
max - 28.67 fps
GTX 280
min - 34.67 fps
ave - 37.73 fps
max - 41.67 fps
Crysis Fraps run @ 1920x1200 all high 64-bit DX9 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 15.67 fps
ave - 17.56 fps
max - 21 fps
GTX 280
min - 19 fps
ave - 21.84 fps
max - 29.67 fps
And most importantly...:D
Plasma Pong Fraps run @ 2560x1600 maxed 4xMSAA
8800 GTX
min - 60 fps
ave - 67.28 fps
max - 70 fps
GTX 280
min - 58 fps
ave - 64.88 fps
max - 68 fps
Impressions & Pics
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2064/all3dy5.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=all3dy5.jpg)
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/5718/all3chillinsh3.th.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=all3chillinsh3.jpg)
I'd like to say i'm very happy with my new GTX 280, but that wouldn't really be the whole story.
My old 8800 GTX was a very good card, & held its own for a long time.
My new GTX 280 is certainly a pretty huge improvement, & the GTX 260's performance sits in between the two quite nicely.
This review was supposed to happen a long time ago, in July.
I ordered a BFG GTX 280 back on July 10th, nearly two months ago.
But it turned out to be one of the defective ones that overheat, so back to BFG it went.
They helpfully shipped me back an overheating defective replacement, so again, i had to fight with them.
Finally after what can really only be described as a horrible nightmare, i received what seems to be a functional third GTX 280.
I say seems, because i have zero faith in the quality control that nVidia & BFG are performing (or aren't) on these cards.
As far as i am concerned, only time will tell if this card is actually okay.
Thus far though, at least it doesn't overheat.
In the interim, i purchased an eVGA GTX 260 to play with, & it has done well for me.
Aside from the issues getting a good one, the GTX 280 performs well & scales consistantly, & provides a much-needed boost over my 8800 GTX for newer games @ my 2560x1600 resolution.
I will add more impression of actually playing games (other than for Fraps scores) if i get some time :p
Noise is not perceptible at idle, however, it does become quite loud at load, louder than the 8800 GTX.
It seems the cooling is certainly not overkill, as usually the fan hits 100% or very close to during games, which concerns me alot for future more intensive games that will no doubt run even hotter.
AMD's dual slot coolers are usually even louder at load, but at least there's always lots of headroom, as you never see 100% fan unless you manually set it there.
Thanx for reading. :)