Review: MSI GeForce FX5900

The best benchmark is last. Combined with 3DMark 2001SE and Serious Sam 2's IQ graph, UT2003 is the only other real benchmark we need to run to come to a conclusion in terms of performance. They map to other game performance pretty darn well when analysed. Base first, a custom Antalus flyby in Max Detail mode.

Move over 9800 Pro, FX 5900 wants top spot. And who are we to argue. Will IQ cause any of the high end boards problems?

Apologies for losing the FX 5600 Ultra from this graph, Excel threw a paddy. Concentrating on the high end, given the nature of the test (if you've seen Antalus in action as a map, you'll know it's all curved terrain, not a flat surface in sight), we can see why FX 5900 in Quality Intellisample guise doesn't hold its performance as well as the ATI boards do. The next graph will show much the same.

Eep, the PD graph wont be too pretty.

Excel got really annoyed this time and wouldn't let me plot 9600 Pro either. Never mind, it's a high end board we're looking at anyway. 9800 Pro beats out FX 5900 in terms of IQ performance in terms of PD, but the FX's clocks keep it on top. When bumping up pixel count, 9800 further edges ahead and even 9700 Pro is quicker.

Performance conclusion now, just where does it sit?