An EVGA GTX 460 SC review using a midrange system

[ragejg]

Yes, there are benefits to writing graphics card reviews with zero CPU limitation. I know what they are, you know what they are, etc...

However, for the performance segment I don't think it's the best thing to do. This market demographic (for the most part) does not have i7 systems running at 3.9 ghz with 12 GB RAM. IMO when they look a review for a video card that's in their market segment they should see what the card can do in something that's like their system.

My reviews over the years have reflected this opinion.

I thought I would let you guys know that I published a GTX 465 review for NV News on release day. I used a mid-range AMD setup, and the compare cards were a GTX 465 and an HD 5830. The review is located at:

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=152967

Yes, it's a forum link. For right now, NV News reviews are being published through vbulletin. That certainly does not make it an "unofficial" review though. Just as other review partners do, I had a Webex meeting/presentation with Bryan Del Rizzo of NVIDIA, and was able to utilize an NVIDIA-written review guide as well as some other review partner-only info. NV News has been in the review game for a long time, and though we've slowed down a bit, we still cover major releases like this one (I/we also reviewed a GTX 465).

Is this review as good as those by the Big Boys? No. But it does IMO convey some interesting points, and addresses some of the wishes and wants of the performance segment via some information that I collected from various hardware forums by doing some informal pre-release surveys. It is also unique for its use of a real mid-range system. To be honest this review ended up being the most exciting I have done for NV News. I've been reviewing for them since 2003, and honestly I've never had a better bang-for-the-buck video card in my system (FX 5900 XT and Geforce 6800 Vanilla were close but didn't match the completeness and value of the GTX 460).

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the review. PM me or reach me at NV News, [H], PC Perspective, Rage3D, Beyond3D, Guru3D, techpowerup, Tom's, elitebastards or here if you have any questions.

[ragejg]

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/show...41#post2286741

After getting some constructive criticism at some other hardware communities, I have decided to re-run the HD 5830 benchmarks to create a more apples-to-apples comparison with regards to texture filtering and optimizations. Apparently you can't turn off NV's driver-level optimizations, and when I did the review I turned Catalyst AI off of the ATI card.

I'm re-running the ATI benchmarks with Catalyst AI on Standard, with the texture filtering set the same as NV's: @ Quality, not High Quality.

I will amend the review when I have all the data in.

[-iceblade^]

thanks for taking the time.

it can get lost that there are people who do use slower rigs, and want to see how the card will perform for them

[Ket]

Who honestly uses a system that doesn't consist of at least 2GB RAM, a dual core CPU and a P35 or equivillent mobo? A system like that OCd would give very similar results to a fully whizz-bang tricked out i7 system anyway..

[saaya]

Apparently you can't turn off NV's driver-level optimizations

+1 for ket...