XFX 8800 GT XXX Graphics Card Review

NVIDIA has one of its best new product launches ever with the recent release of its 8800 GT graphics cards. Previously we looked at an 8800 GT from PNY and today we are back with a review of an overclocked XFX 8800 GT XXX graphics card. The stock clocked 8800 GT from PNY performed very well and if you are wondering how the overclocked XXX version from XFX performs, read on.

Gallery

3 images

Benchmarks

Features & Specifications
The XFX 8800 GT XXX has the same features as other 8800 GT video cards on the market. Where the XFX 8800 GT XXX sets itself apart from the pack is in the bundle it ships with and the overclocked performance right out of the box. XFX clocks the XXX at 670MHz on the core and 1.95 GHz on the 512MB of GDDR3 RAM. XFX is one of the few card partners that actual y bundle stuff with video cards these days and the XFX 8800 GT XXX includes the DX10 version of Company of Heroes. The retail price on the XFX 8800 GT XXX is around $300 online.

Test Machine
Before we get into the benchmarks for the XFX 8800 GT XXX, we need to talk about the specifications for the test machine used in this review. The system specifications are as follows:

• CPU- Intel QX6850
• Mainboard- XFX 680i
• PSU- PC Power and Cooling 1KW
• Display- Dell 30-inch
• OS- Windows XP Pro

Benchmarks & Testing
To test the XFX 8800 GT XXX I will be using the same test suite I used on the PNY 8800 GT consisting of 3DMark06, FEAR, Bioshock, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. The first test up is 3DMark06.

3DMark06
I ran 3DMark06 at default settings in the application and in the NVIDIA control panel. The 3DMark06 results were as follows:

• Total 3DMarks- 13546
• SM2.0- 5657
• HDR/SM3.0- 5559
• CPU- 4548
• Return to Proxycon- 46.533
• Firefly Forest- 47.752
• Canyon Flight- 53.764
• Deep Freeze- 57.415
• CPU1- 1.521
• CPU2- 2.176

To compare the PNY XLR8 8800 GT I reviewed previously that runs stock NVIDIA reference clocks scored 12812 total 3DMarks. When I tested the XFX 8800 Ultra XXX on the same system, it scored 14378 total 3DMarks. That is only 832 points lower for the XFX 8800 GT XXX than the current fastest card around from a video card costing around $300, exceptional performance by any measure.

FEAR
The next test up was with FEAR, which I ran at all max settings, 4x AA, 16x AF and a screen resolution of 2560 x 1600. The FEAR in game test loop recorded the following frame rate numbers:

• Min- 21 fps
• Avg- 39 fps
• Max- 84 fps

The percentages show that 11% of the time frame rates were under 25 fps, 52% of the time frame rates were 25-40 fps, and 37% of the time frame rates were greater than 40 fps.

Dropping the screen resolution in FEAR down to 1920 x 1200 and leaving all other settings the same gives the following frame rate numbers:

• Min- 32 fps
• Avg- 66 fps
• Max- 153 fps

The percentages show that frame rates never dipped below 25 fps, 17% of the time frame rates were 25-40 fps and 83% of the time frame rates were greater than 40 fps.

Bioshock
The next game test up was Bioshock, which I ran at 1920 x 1200 with all settings on high, distortion on, high detail shaders on, shadow maps on and real time reflections on. I recorded frame rates using Fraps in the level at Fontain Fisheries where you have no guns. Fraps recorded the following frame rate information:

• Min- 32
• Avg- 57.569
• Max- 62

Quake Wars
The final game test for the XFX 8800 GT XXX was with Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. I ran the game at 1920 x 1200, 8x AA, all settings on high and with smooth foliage on. I used Fraps to record frame rate information in a single player game with campaign mode in Africa. Fraps recorded the following frame rate data:

• Min- 32
• Avg- 57.569
• Max- 62

Verdict

Conclusion

Pros

• Phenomenal performance for the price
• Bundled with Company of Heroes
• Single slot design

Cons

• More expensive than other 8800 GT cards on the market

Verdict
I can sum up my thoughts after testing the XFX 8800 GT XXX in one word, WOW. This card has 98% of the performance of an 8800 Ultra at a fraction of the cost. XFX even goes a step further by bundling an A-list video game with the card. If you are looking for a video card for the holiday season, the XFX 8800 GT XXX is one of the very best video cards available.

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