3DMark 06 2xAA/8xAF

Shader Model 2.0 Overall Score

Game Test 1

Game Test 2

Shader Model 3.0/HDR Overall Score

Game Test 3

Game Test 4

Notes

When we move to tests with anti-aliasing turned on, things change substantially. Although the GeForce 7800GTX is one of the fastest performing GPUs in real-world games it cannot do HDR and anti-aliasing simultaneously. ATI can. As a result, NVIDIA puts in a zero score for the HDR/SM3.0 with anti-aliasing tests.

Looking at the tests more carefully, we can see that the X1800 XL has very similar scores for HDR test 1 and 2 at 1024x768. In fact, with anti-aliasing turned off, the second HDR is faster. When the level of anti-aliasing increases from 2xAA to 4xAA, the difference between HDR Test 1 and 2 grows. HDR Test 1 ends up running about 50% faster. This again supports the idea that HDR 2 is more memory bandwidth limited. Once you move to 1600x1200 with 2xAA or 1280x1024 with 4xAA, memory bandwidth is a problem for both tests.