Testbed:
Motherboard:
EVGA 680i SLI (Supplied by EVGA)
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo 6800 Extreme edition (Supplied by Intel)
Memory:
OCZ FlexXLC PC2 9200 5-5-5-18 (Supplied by OCZ)
during testing CL5-5-5-15-CR2T 1066MHz at 2.2V
PSU:
OCZ Silencer 750 Quad Black (Supplied by OCZ)
Hard disk:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 80GB SATA (Supplied by Seagate)
CPU-Cooler:
Freezer 7 Pro (Supplied by Artic Cooling)
Case Fans:
Artic Cooling - Artic Fan 12 PWM
Artic Cooling - Artic Fan 8 PWM
Futuremarks
We tested XFX's 9800 GTX running at Nvidia's reference speeds. We also incorporated Gainward’s 9800 GTX results, and since both cards were running at reference speeds it was a fair game. Both are based on reference design, and apart from each company's stickers, they were identical.
3DMark06 confirmed that there was no difference between XFX and Gainward 9800 GTX. 9800 GTX cards scored around 12380 and proudly earned the title of best single GPU cards on the market. The cards were slightly better than 8800 Ultra but slower than Radeon HD 3870 X2 by %7.
Overclocking
We already mentioned that all partners offer non-overclocked cards, but also that we’re testing a reference XFX 9800 GTX. Still, don’t lose sleep over it because with a little effort we pushed the card over 800MHz, and stopped at 815MHz. The memory also got an excellent boost, and we pushed it up to 1230MHz (2460MHz effectively). This is great overclocking, and we’ve seen certain individuals managing to push their 9800 GTX cards over 840MHz by using just air cooling. We were running on a tight schedule, so we didn’t have time for more meticulous overclocking, but the important thing is that GPU can go over 800MHz.
Gaming
XFX 9800 GTX did a good job when put up against Radeon HD 3870 X2 card. It’s only at the highest testing resolution that it lost to Radeon HD 3870 X2 by 6%. At 1600x1200 and AA, HD 3870 X2 and 9800 GTX ran on par, which is quite nice, especially knowing that HD 3870 X2 costs some €50 more. Like Gainward’s 9800 GTX, XFX runs at reference speeds so the performance difference is virtually nonexistent.
Crysis sees GTX beating 8800 GTS by up to 9%.
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F.E.A.R. seems to like Radeon X2, so GTX couldn’t compete. Compared to 8800 GTS, XFX 9800 GTX ran faster by up to 7%.
In HL2 Episode Two, XFX 9800 GTX beat 8800 GTS by up to 7%, and it easily handled Radeon HD 3870 X2.
Conclusion
Geforce 9800 GTX is one of the fastest cards on the market, and will prove to be enough even for the most demanding gamers out there. The card is widely available and should set you back around €260. At this price you get a Tri-SLI ready card, so upgrading your system with one or two cards shouldn’t be a problem, provided you’re ready to pay the price.
XFX 9800 GTX runs at reference speeds, but don’t let that put you off because it’s a great overclocker. Powering it is done by two 6-pin PCIe cables, and the fan can get a bit loud during 3D, but still not too loud. The card is great for gaming, but HDMI and HDCP make it great multimedia card, too. Of course, let’s not forget Company of Heroes, a still very popular DirectX 10 game that you get in the box.
Gaming, multi-media, overclocking, Hybrid Power and basically all the best that Nvidia made through the years makes XFX 9800 GTX a great choice.