AquaMark3 and X²
AquaMark3- Author: Massive
- DirectX Class: 9.0
- Pixel and Vertex Shaders: Yes (mixed mode, PS1.4 and PS2.0)
- FSAA and AF set via application
The PowerColor 9800XT does as expected. It keeps a discernible lead over the 9800 Pro 256MB card. NVIDIA's 5950 Ultra is suffering from poor DX9 performance, which, according to its architecture, it shouldn't do. NVIDIA will cite many reasons for its lack of performance. The bottom line is that AquaMark3, a consistent, useful DX9 benchmark, puts the Radeons on top.
X² - The Threat
- Author: Egosoft
- DirectX Class: 9.0
- Pixel and Vertex Shaders: Yes (unknown versions or amount of effects)
- FSAA and AF set via control panel
Similar performance from all three cards. The 9800XT manages to head the pack again, and its run was smooth. Contrast this with the jerky benchmark performance exhibited by the NVIDIA card. It was afflicted with the freeze-and-release syndrome, that is, moments of smoothness followed by slight locking.
