Crysis – SP demo
Although we don’t usually use demos in our test suite, it’s hard to pass up Crysis due to the fact that this game is so much awaited and redefines modern graphics quality. We carry out the internal test in DirectX 9 High mode (forced via the addition of –dx9 behind the executable) and in DirectX 10 Very High mode.
The GeForce 8800 GT is close to the GTX and just ahead of the Radeon HD 2900 XT and HD 3870. The HD 3850 is equivalent to a GeForce 8800 GTS. Note that only the GeForce 8800 GT/GTX/GTS512/Ultra allow playing in High mode and 1280x1024 and even then just barely. This game is very demanding on all levels including for memory because the 320 MB of the GeForce 8800 GTS 320 is already insufficient.
With antialiasing, a number of cards start to fall off. While the GeForce 8800 GTX and Ultra manage to do ok, the GT and GTS 512 plummet in 1920x1200 due to a lack of video memory. As for the Radeon HD 2900 XT and HD 3800, performances are cut in half!
With all details pushed to their limits and in DirectX 10, the GeForce 8800 GT is ahead of the Radeon HD 2900 XT and HD 3870 which are in turn equivalent to the 8800 GTS 640 MB. The 512 version is very close to the GTX.
And what about playing with all settings set to a maximum in 1280x1024 with the current biggest high end solution? Impossible and it’s a humbling experience for all cards. We can’t wait for the GeForce 9800 in SLI!
