Testing

To test graphics cards we run them through a series of synthetic and real world gaming benchmarks while under stock and overclocked states. However, with this review we will not only be comparing the Ultra with other cards, but will also be showing through a series of results the benefits of overclocking the CPU to allow this card to perform at its peak.

Since this is little more than an 8800GTX binned higher for its better clocks, I will be comparing this card to a standard 8800GTX, a watercooled overclocked GTX and an x1950XTX. The Ultra will be tested using 158.22 drivers.

NB. The standard GTX was tested using slightly older drivers and its score will have been effected by this since there have been performance enhancements since this card was tested.

The rig I will be using for testing is as follows (these clocks were used with comparisons of other cards):

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 @ 2.7ghz
Asus P5W DH Deluxe
OCZ Special Ops. 2gb PC6400 @ 900mz
600w Silver Power

The second set of tests will involve having the GPU at stock while overclocking the processor in several stages while the final results will also have the overclocked Ultra helping them along.

The specs of the CPU, memory and GPU in the different states was as follows:

1: CPU = 2.4 Ghz Ram = 800mhz, GPU = 600/1100
2:: CPU = 2.7ghz, RAM = 900mhz, GPU = 600/1100
3: CPU = 3.42ghz, Ram = 760mhz (due to necessary divider), GPU = 600/1100
4: CPU = 3.42ghz, Ram = 760mhz (due to necessary divider), GPU = 700/1220

NB: The memory clock is shown at actual speed not effective speed. To find the effective speed simply double the values.

Overclocking

For overclocking the 8800 Ultra I used ATI tool and gradually increased the clock frequency hitting a wall at aboug 715mhz so I reduced the clock to 700 and it was fully bench stable. The memory didn't go too far before crashing out in the high 1240s and was fully benchable at 1220.

Tests

The tests that were run were as follows:

3Dmark03, 3Dmark05, 3Dmark06, Company of Heroes (with everything "on" and at full detail") at 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 (labelled as "COH High"), FEAR with all settings at Maximum, HL2: Lost Coast with all settings at max with 4xAA and 16AF at 1280x1024 and x3 running with default settings.