Recap of performances
Although individual game results are interesting, especially when involving multi GPU systems, we calculated a performance index based on all tests with the same weight for each game. A score of 100 was given to the GeForce 9800 GX2 in 1920x1200.
On average, GeForce 8800 Ultra triple SLI is in the lead aided by the “0” obtained in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. by quad SLI. The four Radeon HD 3870 GPUs can’t rival triple SLI and are more equivalent to a couple of 8800 Ultras.
With 4x antialiasing filtering activated, it’s the same situation except the GeForce 9800 GX2s lose a little bit more ground in 2560x1600 due to their lack of memory. As for the Radeon HD 3870, their bugged ROPs in antialiasing have pushed AMD to use an alternative solution, which while it is very flexible, holds back performances. For this reason, they do not shine in these conditions.
Note that results obtained in S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Rainbow Six : Vegas and Bioshock were not added to final scores here because the Radeon HD 3870 is not capable of antialiasing in these games (except with a single card with Bioshock and in DirectX 9). You can consult a graph which otherwise takes these games into account
here.
With DirectX 10 games, quad SLI isn't ideal because two out of four games had a problem with this technology. For this reason, its average score isn’t too encouraging and triple SLI dominates. Triple Radeon HD 3870 CrossFire finishes equivalent to a GeForce 9800 GX2 and therefore behind 8800 Ultra SLI.
In DirectX 10 and FSAA 4x, the GeForce 8800 Ultra easily dominates. In these extreme conditions, the 768 MB are very useful. Quad SLI also suffered here from crashes in two games and a lack of memory in another.
Note that the results obtained in Bioshock were not added to final scores here because the Radeon HD 3870 is not capable of antialiasing in this game. You can consult the graph which otherwise takes this game into account
here.
