System setup and notes
| Graphics cards | Inno3D GeForce GTX 275 896MB | Inno3D
GeForce GTX 260 FreezerX2 896MB |
XFX Radeon HD 4890 1,024MB | XFX Radeon HD 4870 1,024MB | XFX Radeon HD 4870 512MB | Sapphire Radeon HD 4770 X2 1,024MB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current pricing, including VAT | £199 | £138 | £183 | £137 |
£123 | £157 |
|
| Shader model | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | |
| Stream processors | 240 | 216 | 800 | 800 | 800 | 1,280 | |
| GPU clock speed (MHz) | 633 | 576 | 900 | 750 | 750 | 750 | |
| Shader clock speed (MHz) | 1,404 | 1,242 | 900 | 750 | 750 | 750 | |
| Memory clock speed (MHz) | 2,268 | 1,998 | 4,000 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,200 | |
| Memory bus width (bits) | 448 | 448 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 (combined) | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition (3.20GHz, 8MB L3 cache, quad-core, LGA1,366) | ||||||
| Motherboard | Foxconn Bloodrage X58 | ||||||
| Motherboard BIOS | P04 | ||||||
| Mainboard software | Intel Inf 9.1.0.1012 | ||||||
| Memory | 6GB Corsair DOMINATOR PC12,800 | ||||||
| Memory timings and speed | 9-9-9-24 1T @ DDR3-1,333 | ||||||
| PSU | Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1,000W | ||||||
| Monitor | Dell 30in 3007WFP - 2,560x1,600px | ||||||
| Disk drive(s) | Seagate 500GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 (3Gb/s mode) | ||||||
| Graphics driver | ForceWare 185.63 beta | ForceWare 182.06 | Catalyst 9.4 | Catalyst 9.3 | Catalyst 9.3 | Catalyst 9.4 (press driver) | |
| Operating system | Windows Vista Business SP1, 64-bit | ||||||
Software
| 3D Benchmarks | Call of Duty 4: Modern
Warfare v1.7, HEXUS custom-recorded
benchmark:
DX9 - very high quality Company Of Heroes: Opposing Fronts v2.301: DX10 - very high quality Enemy Territory: Quake Wars v1.5, HEXUS custom-recorded benchmark. OpenGL - very high quality Far Cry 2 v1.02 DX10 - very high quality Race Driver: GRID v1.2, HEXUS custom-recorded benchmark - ultra quality |
|---|
Notes
Here's where it gets interesting. GeForce GTX 275 came in at £199 for the cheapest reference model and pricing hasn't changed one iota. Radeon HD 4890 - the direct competitor to GTX 275 - has been the subject of price-culling from day one. A reference card is available for just a touch over £180.The pressure on Radeon HD 4870 has increased since the HD 4890's arrival, to the extent that it's possible to buy a 1,024MB-equipped version for £137 and the 512MB edition for £123, or less. That's why, we reckon, the GeForce GTX 260's pricing has taken just a beating. Inno3D's etail listing is no fluke: it's a direct response to the threat of HD 4870.
Putting a joker in the pack, we've also added numbers for a couple of Radeon HD 4770s in CrossFire. The pair come in at £160 but do provide excellent performance.
Benchmarks were conducted at 1,680x1,050, 1,920x1,200, and 2,560x1,600 with decent degrees of image-enhancement thrown in for good measure.
