NVIDIA Single Card, Multi-GPU: GeForce 7950 GX2
by Derek Wilson on June 5, 2006 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Battlefield 2 Performance
At the lowest resolution with and without AA, both the highest end ATI card we tested (the X1900 XT) and the NVIDIA 7900 GTX lead the 7950 GX2 in performance. In most other (non CPU limited) cases, we will see the new NVIDIA flagship part come out on top, but this is one case where the added overhead of multi-GPU management gets in the way. Hopefully anyone who has one fo these cards will also own a display that does much higher resolutions than 1280x1024.
Again, at 1600x1200 without AA we see the 7950 GX2 running into a CPU limitation. When 4xAA gets enabled, we see the 7950 GX2 jump to the front of the class. In fact, enabling 4xAA only causes the 7950 GX2 to drop an average of 2.6 frames per second from the non-antialiased benchmark.
Running at our highest resolution, both with and without AA leaves the 7950 GX2 solidly in the performance lead under BF2. It isn't surprising that the closest competitor is the 7900 GT SLI setup, followed by the X1900 XT. At the maximum quality setting, the 7900 GTX falls a stunning 36% (or 19.1 average fps) behind the 7950 GX2. Not every game delivers results this impressive, but BF2 is certainly a good title to perform well under.
At the lowest resolution with and without AA, both the highest end ATI card we tested (the X1900 XT) and the NVIDIA 7900 GTX lead the 7950 GX2 in performance. In most other (non CPU limited) cases, we will see the new NVIDIA flagship part come out on top, but this is one case where the added overhead of multi-GPU management gets in the way. Hopefully anyone who has one fo these cards will also own a display that does much higher resolutions than 1280x1024.
Again, at 1600x1200 without AA we see the 7950 GX2 running into a CPU limitation. When 4xAA gets enabled, we see the 7950 GX2 jump to the front of the class. In fact, enabling 4xAA only causes the 7950 GX2 to drop an average of 2.6 frames per second from the non-antialiased benchmark.
Running at our highest resolution, both with and without AA leaves the 7950 GX2 solidly in the performance lead under BF2. It isn't surprising that the closest competitor is the 7900 GT SLI setup, followed by the X1900 XT. At the maximum quality setting, the 7900 GTX falls a stunning 36% (or 19.1 average fps) behind the 7950 GX2. Not every game delivers results this impressive, but BF2 is certainly a good title to perform well under.
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dug777 - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
? Seems daft not to include CF in that kinda comparison...Mclendo06 - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
One of the concens I have had regarding this card is the noise level relative to nVidia's other top offering, the 7900GTX. I have seen all over the net that nVidia's large 2-slot heatsink is extremely quiet compared to most others. As the 7950 GX2 has 2 single slot type coolers, I am assuming that the noise is going to be considerably higher, but I haven't seen anything regarding noise levels on any of the reviews I've read so far. Could you weigh in on this (objective info on noise, I'm not looking for dBA measurements or anything).Mclendo06 - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
Great minds think alike. If you answer VooDooAddict's post, feel free to ignore mine.VooDooAddict - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
:)DerekWilson - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
as for noise, from a subjective perspective, the 7950 GX2 is on a similar level to the 7900 GTX. Both are much much much quieter than an ATI X1900 XT spinning up to full speed.VooDooAddict - Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - link
Thanks for the updateVooDooAddict - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
I see that it's mentioned in the article that the 7950GX2 draws less power then the 7900GTX:"For those who live on the bleeding edge, this lower power alternative to the 7900 GTX is a solid way to go."
Do you have any numbers to support this? Is that only in comparison to 7900GTX SLI or does is it truely consume less power then a single 7900GTX?
Another thing not mentioned was the noise level or the heat produced. I understand that you can't get numbers for everything ... but things like noise level and heat could be commented on subjectivly.
If looking at "high end perforamnce parts," but primarily concerned with power consumption, heat produced, and noise levels ... It's my understanding that the 7900GT and 7900GTX are prefered over the ATI solutions.
DerekWilson - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
sorry -- there was a two fold problem herewith the server issues this morning, the power section was accidentally left out at publication.
unfortuantely, i also mentioned the wrong card in the conclusion -- my original references to the 7900 GTX should have been to the X1900 XT. This has been corrected. Sorry for the confusion.
VooDooAddict - Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - link
Thanks for the clarification.Jojo7 - Monday, June 5, 2006 - link
Derek, tell us how you really feel about content protection. Hah.Good article. I wasn't aware how elegant this solution was until now. It works regardless of the chipset. Impressive.