Test Methodology
GPU Comparisons |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics card | GPU clock (MHz) |
Stream processors |
Shader clock (MHz) |
Memory clock (MHz) |
Memory bus (bits) |
Graphics driver | |
| 2x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 in SLI (8,192MB) | 915+ | 6,144 | 915+ | 6,008 | 256 x 4 | GeForce 304.48 beta | |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 (4,096MB) | 915+ | 3,072 | 915+ | 6,008 | 256 x 4 | GeForce 304.48 beta | |
Test Platform: Scan 3XS Carbon SLI |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-3930K @ 4.6GHz (12MB smart cache, hexa-core, LGA2011) | |||||||||||
| CPU Cooler | Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BL | |||||||||||
| Motherboard | ASUS P9X79 PRO | |||||||||||
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 | |||||||||||
| Power Supply | Corsair Professional Series Gold AX1200 (1,200W) | |||||||||||
| Sound Card | ASUS Xonar Essence STX | |||||||||||
| Monitors | 3x 24in Philips Brilliance (241P4QPYES/00) | |||||||||||
| Primary Storage | 256GB Corsair Performance Pro SSD | |||||||||||
| Secondary Storage | 2TB Seagate Barracuda HDD | |||||||||||
| Chassis | SilverStone Fortress SST-FT02B-W | |||||||||||
| Operating system | Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit, SP1) | |||||||||||
HEXUS High-End, Multi-Monitor Benchmark Suite |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Mode and Resolution | High Quality Settings | Extreme Quality Settings | |
| Aliens vs. Predator | DX11 at 5,760x1,080 | 2xAA, 8xAF, Maximum Image Quality | 4xAA, 16xAF, Maximum Image Quality |
| Battlefield 3 | DX11 at 5,760x1,080 | 0xAA, 16xAF, High Preset | 4xMSAA, 16xAF, Ultra Preset |
| Batman: Arkham City | DX11 at 5,760x1,080 | 8xMSAA, Extreme Preset, PhysX Off | 32xCSAA, Extreme Preset, PhysX Normal |
| DiRT Showdown | DX11 at 5,760x1,080 | 8xMSAA, High Preset | 16xQCSAA, Ultra Preset (Global Illumination Off) |
| Just Cause 2 | DX10 at 5,760x1,080 | 4xAA, 16xAF, Very High Quality, PLS Off, GPU Water Off | 32xCSAA, 16xAF, Very High Quality, PLS On, GPU Water On |
| Total War: Shogun 2 | DX11 at 5,760x1,080 | MLAA, Trilinear Filtering, High Quality | 4xMSAA, 16xAF, High Quality |
| General Benchmarks | |||
| Power Consumption | To emulate real-world usage scenarios, we record mains power draw both when idle and while playing Batman: Arkham City | ||
| Temperature | To emulate real-world usage scenarios, we record GPU core temperature both when idle and while playing Batman: Arkham City | ||
| Noise | A PCE-318 meter is used to record noise levels when idle and while playing Batman: Arkham City | ||
Notes
Our standard Sandy Bridge test platform has been set aside for the purpose of this review for obvious reasons; the 750W power supply isn't ideal for a quad-GPU setup, and the Core i5-2500K processor could create an unnecessary bottleneck.
All benchmarks have consequently been carried out on Scan's 3XS Carbon SLI (detailed in the tables above), and we've run six popular games in two modes; 5,760x1,080 with high quality settings and 5,760x1,080 with extreme quality settings.
Most HEXUS readers will have seen three-screen setups in the past, but if you're wondering how today's games look at these ultra-wide resolutions, check out the following screengrabs from all six benchmarked titles. You can click to get a bigger view, but be warned, the pictures aren't small.
Aliens vs. Predator at 5,760x1,080
Battlefield 3 at 5,760x1,080
Batman: Arkham City at 5,760x1,080
DiRT Showdown at 5,760x1,080
Just Cause 2 at 5,760x1,080
Total War: Shogun 2 at 5,760x1,080
