MSI FX5700 Ultra TD128 - Testing - Halo, NFSU
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Halo (DirectX9)
Halo supports many different rendering paths, and always auto detects what the graphics card is capable of and uses the most advanced setting unless specified; this why the game may seem to run faster on a GF4 Ti4600 than 9600Pro or 5700 Ultra. With PS 2.0 enabled however, Halo is extremely harsh on all video cards, and should be a solid test in determining the 5700U's performance. FRAPS was used to benchmark Halo. We sped through a level with a beach atop a warthog, where enemies and enemy fire filled the screen. The graphics settings used were a resolution of 1024x768x32, no AA no AF, all settings enabled, and particles and texture quality high. This is the full version of Halo.
While the overclocked R9600P holds a 4.5 average FPS advantage over the FX5700U, this means nothing in terms of an actual gameplay experience. Both cards provide about 30FPS average, and both cards dip way below that average during firefights. I recommend playing Halo at 800x600 for a better playing experience. Here are screenshots of Halo at the benchmarked settings on the FX5700U and R9600P. (Click on the images to enlarge.)
No noticeable difference in IQ here.
Need for Speed Underground (DirectX 9)
NFSU is perhaps the most beautiful game I have seen. The flashy lights, reflective objects, and detailed surfaces are simply stunning. As you will see, the details hit each card's framerate hard. We used FRAPS to benchmark one lap around the Olympic Square course. Settings used were a resolution of 1280x1024x32, 2x AA, 8x AF, default detail options. This is the full version of NFSU.
The FX5700U struggles to run NFSU at 1280x1024x32 with 2x AA and 8x AF. The overclocked R9600P holds a 12 FPS advantage, and is noticeably faster than the FX5700U in this game. Notice however, how much greater the range between record low and record high FPS the 9600 exhibits versus the 5700. Here are screenshots of NFSU at the benchmarked settings on the FX5700U and R9600P. (Click on the images to view the full sized image).
The FX5700U rendering of NFSU is clearly much brighter than the R9600P, and looks abnormal. Focus on the sides of the screen, on the shops, and you will see why. This looks to be a driver issue.
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