System setup and notes
Basic setup
- Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz 800FSB CPU
- EPoX 4PDA2+ i865PE Springdale motherboard
- 2 x 256MB Corsair XMS3500 memory run at 2-6-2-2 @ DDR400
- Intel reference cooler
- IBM 41.5GB Hard drive
- Pioneer 105 DVD/RW
- 420w Samcheer PSU
- Samsung 181T 18.1" TFT
- Hansol 920D 19" flat CRT for 1600x1200x32 tests
Video Cards used
- ATi Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
(380/680)
- ATi Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB (32
5/620) - NVIDIA GeForce FX5900 Ultra 256MB (450/850)
Software
- Windows XP Professional Build 2600.xpclient.010817-1148
A revamped testing suite this time around. The introduction of a 3.2GHz Pentium 4 and newer Catalyst drivers from ATi make previous comparisons a little redundant. Benchmarks will be conducted at 1024x768x32 and 1600x1200x32. Three different combinations of results will be gathered and graphed. Firstly, 1024x768x32 without any other image enhancement. Next up is the same resolution but with 4x FSAA and 8x Anisotropic filtering. Lastly, and to really push the cards to their ragged limits, 1600x1200x32 with 4x AA and 8x AF will be benchmarked.
The Crucial 9800 Pro is reference in almost every possible respect. Save for the Crucial sticker on the GPU's fan and the small information booklet contained within the bundle, it's safe to say that everything that applied in our original Radeon 9800 Pro review applies to this card.
With that in mind, the Crucial card features the same excellent 2D found on the reference card. Using the card on a Samsung 181T, via DVI, was a pleasure to this reviewer's eyes. Images were crisp, vibrant and easy on the eyes with Microsoft's ClearType applied. Outputting the signal to an external source, in this case a 28" flat CRT, maintained the excellent clarity and sharpness of image.
If you'd like to freshen up on what makes the Radeon 9800 Pro tick, please head here
