![[H]ardOCP](/images/blank.gif){kind=small}
- Date:
- Monday , March 14, 2005
- Author:
- Brent Justice
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
VisionTek XTASY X850 XT Review
Today we have VisionTek’s first retail RADEON X850 XT-based video card up for evaluation. We take it through the full gamut of gaming in six of the most demanding games comparing it to the competition along the way.
DOOM 3
(OpenGL)
We are using the full retail version of DOOM 3 and leaving each video cards driver control panel to “Application Preference” for AA and AF. We set the DOOM 3 in-game quality setting and resolution to the levels that played the best on each card. We utilized the in-game DOOM 3 AA setting to change AA level.
For our manual run-through, we chose the “Enpro” level and used FRAPS to capture the framerate every second from the start of the mission to half way through it. We played the game in a normal fashion, which means each run-through on each card will be a little different, but it still represents the same course through the level.
In DOOM 3, we found that the GeForce 6800 Ultra felt smoother in performance and allowed a higher quality setting compared to the VisionTek XTASY X850 XT. The VisionTek XTASY X850 XT played well at 1600x1200 with no AA and 8XAF in High Quality mode. Performance at this level was smooth throughout the game only dropping into the upper 20s during the most intense situations, but it did not distract from gameplay.
The GeForce 6800 Ultra did allow for higher image quality with 2XAA enabled at 1600x1200 with very playable performance. The GeForce 6800 GT did match the VisionTek XTASY X850 XT for playable quality settings, but as you can see in the table below, raw performance was indeed faster than the VisionTek X850 XT.
Image Quality:
In DOOM 3, we seemed to notice the benefit of Anti-Aliasing mostly with railings in the game. If you look at the first comparison screenshot above, you can see how 2XAA even at 1600x1200 helps reduce the jagged edges on the railings. Also, notice that Anti-Aliasing is working on the shadow on the floor by cleaning up its jagged edges. Therefore, Anti-Aliasing does improve the image quality in DOOM 3, but, as most of the game is very dark and you are quickly moving through it, you tend not to notice the jagged edges as much.
In this screenshot above, we have artificially enhanced the contrast so that you can better see the effects of Anti-Aliasing compared to no AA. In particular, notice the shadows cast on the floor from the railings, as they are smoother and less jagged with 2XAA at 1600x1200. Again, the game is very dark and in normal fast action gameplay the jagged edges are not as noticeable.