6800NU vs 6800GT at Half Life2

[nRollo]

I thought those card shopping for the holidays might be interested in some HL2 benches at settings you won't see in a normal review. (i.e. Rivatuner unlocked)
I have a A64 3000+/MSI K8T Neo/1 GB PC3200, used nV detonator 6702 drivers, high quality on HL2 settings, reflect world for water, Anandtech's demos.

All benches run at 1280 X 960, other settings noted above benches, # pipes/VPs is number of pipelines and vertex processors enabled.

at_c17_12 demo:
Card:# pipes-VPs:core/RAM:AA/AF:Frames per second
6800NU 12/5 325/700 0X0X...53fps
6800NU 12/5 325/700 4X8X...50fps
6800NU 16/6 325/800 4X8X...52fps
6800NU 16/6 325/700 4X8X...52fps
6800GT 16/6 350/1000 4X8X...57fps


at_canals_08 demo:
Card:# pipes-VPs:core/RAM:AA/AF:Frames per second
6800NU 12/5 325/700 0X0X...80fps
6800NU 12/5 325/700 4X8X...58fps
6800NU 16/6 325/800 4X8X...68fps
6800NU 16/6 325/700 4X8X...65fps
6800GT 16/6 350/1000 4X8X...79fps

at_prison_05 demo:
Card:# pipes-VPs:core/RAM:AA/AF:Frames per second
6800NU 12/5 325/700 0X0X...79fps
6800NU 12/5 325/700 4X8X...58fps
6800NU 16/6 325/800 4X8X...70fps
6800NU 16/6 325/700 4X8X...68fps
6800GT 16/6 350/1000 4X8X...81fps

I did not test 16X12 as prior benching of the 6800NU has taught me this is not a usable setting for the 6800NU and modern DX9 games. I used 12X9 4X8X primarily as I personally consider this a performance "sweet spot" for these cards.
Note how once again, as in Doom 3, unlocking and a very conservative OC (325/800) on the 6800NU split the performance difference between a stock NU and a stock GT.
I did not OC the 6800GT, and never will. It's performance is exceptional at stock levels, and the paltry performance gains OCing it do not justify risking a $400 card IMO. Whoever ends up buying this from me will get the most gently used 6800GT in the FS/FT forum.

:beer: to Gabe for a fantastic game, :beer: to nVidia for making a card that should be affordable to about everyone (6800NU) and plays today's most demanding games very well.

 

[KevinH]

Rollo,

I can't tell what's going on . What's 12/5, 16/6 etc?

 

[df96817]

The 6800 NU with 12 pipelines and the test with the extra 4 pipes unlocked.

 

[fbrdphreak]

12/5 & 16/6 I believe are the specs on the cards (activated pipelines), but what res are you running @?
However, good info as always Rollo :thumbsup:

 

[KevinH]

Ah, I see. I thought that was the resolutions or something which sort of left me scratching my head .

 

[RussianSensation]

Nice

Some suggestions: change 12/5 to simly 6800 and when you have it unlocked just put 6800(Unlocked)

Also people who buy 6800GT will want to play at 1600x1200 otherwise they would have purchased 6800nu. I am surprised at the small performance difference between the 2 cards though.

See if you can add 1600x1200 4AA/8AF for both cards. It would be useful to see stock 6800nu vs. stock 6800GT since unlocking the pipelines isn't always guaranteed.

Nice job.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: KevinH
Rollo,

I can't tell what's going on . What's 12/5, 16/6 etc?

Sorry and good point, hopefully it's more descriptive now.

As noted df96817, the pipes/VPs refers to card configuration. About half of the 6800NUs allow you to unlock 4 additional pixel pipelines and one additional vertex processor, making them the same core design as a 6800GT.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Nice

Some suggestions: change 12/5 to simly 6800 and when you have it unlocked just put 6800(Unlocked)

Also people who buy 6800GT will want to play at 1600x1200 otherwise they would have purchased 6800nu. I am surprised at the small performance difference between the 2 cards though.

See if you can add 1600x1200 4AA/8AF for both cards. It would be useful to see stock 6800nu vs. stock 6800GT since unlocking the pipelines isn't always guaranteed.

Nice job.

I'll consider the 16X12 RS, but honestly the 16X12 performance of the 6800NU on Doom3/Far Cry leads me to believe no one in their right mind would consider playing HL2 at 16X12 4X8X on a 6800NU.

 

[BentValve]

Nice work Rollo,

I just sold my 6800 NU but could have easily lived with it , its a very usable card and it can play any game out there for considerably less $$ than the GT.


I now have a GT on the way...mainly I wanted the extra ram..I expect virtually no noticable performance increase otherwise.

Of course now I am second guessing myself and wondering if I should have just jumped straight up to a 6800 Ultra. Evga does have a step-up program at least .

 

[James3shin]

thanks rollo, good stuff man

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: James3shin
thanks rollo, good stuff man

You're most welcome.

I'll try to get some 16X12s in there today, but it won't be pretty is my guess.
<remembers 4FPS at Doom 3 slideshow>

 

[1ManArmY]

how do you bench HL2?

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY
how do you bench HL2?

1. Add "-console" to your target line for HL2. (no quotation marks)
2. Download ATs (or anyone's) benches into your C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\username\half-life 2\hl2\ directory
ATs demos
3. Fire up Halflife 2
4. Type "Timedemo (name of demo)" in the console that will appear. The AT ones are like at_canals_08, etc. (no quotation marks)

 

[happy medium]

I'm new at this benchmark stuff.
What is a target line?
Could you explain this like I was in kindergarden Thanks

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Ultramags
I'm new at this benchmark stuff.
What is a target line?
Could you explain this like I was in kindergarden Thanks

Right click on your HL2 icon, select "Properties", then the shortcut tab. The Target line is the top box.

 

[adamcwatts]

We will probable see some good sale on videocards this coming friday because of thanksgiving. If i see a 6800nu for 200-225 i'm going to get it. if i don't I'll just get my 6600GT

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: adamcwatts
We will probable see some good sale on videocards this coming friday because of thanksgiving. If i see a 6800nu for 200-225 i'm going to get it. if i don't I'll just get my 6600GT

Get the 6800NU for $200 at CompUSA Friday if you can, that is an amazing deal!

 

[trayu]

Nice info there . Pretty much exactly the info i've been interested in, reviews of the 6800nu unlocked. How come no overclock on the core of the NU though? I just picked up a 6800nu that fully unlocked and am curious as to what brings better performance gains, core or mem? Mem wont go higher than 775 before failing rivatuners o/c test. Core does 371.

Spot on about the card not being able to handle 16x12 in the newest DX9 titles, card is perfect for 1280x960. Though I did find my card ran Doom 3 at 16x12 very well.

 

[1ManArmY]

thanks for the quick tip Rollo

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: trayu

Nice info there . Pretty much exactly the info i've been interested in, reviews of the 6800nu unlocked. How come no overclock on the core of the NU though? I just picked up a 6800nu that fully unlocked and am curious as to what brings better performance gains, core or mem? Mem wont go higher than 775 before failing rivatuners o/c test. Core does 371.

Spot on about the card not being able to handle 16x12 in the newest DX9 titles, card is perfect for 1280x960. Though I did find my card ran Doom 3 at 16x12 very well.

I'm leery of core OCs on unlocked cards- wonder if the locked quad was highest failing of the four, might run hotter, etc..

The experience of the unfortunates in the "My 6800LE ran at 350-400 for a month and croaked" mondo thread hasn't bolstered my confidence.

 

[Avalon]

Even so...is it possible you could just run a couple quick tests with the 6800NU core at 350?
Or, underclock your 6800GT for a couple tests down to 325, so we can see what the difference in memory makes?

Thanks Rollo!
An unlocked and slightly overclocked NU is definitely not a far cry away from the real deal the 6800GT offers. It's the best bet for people with crappy monitors

 

[The Green Bean]

nice info...thanx

 

[worthless085]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
12/5 &amp; 16/6 I believe are the specs on the cards (activated pipelines), but what res are you running @?
However, good info as always Rollo :thumbsup:

hes running at 1280 X 960