|
 |
|
Comanche 4 |
|
Yet another D3D
benchmark |
|
Here's where the performance
numbers start to get interesting. In Comanche 4, the
new ForceWare 55 driver actually loses about 12 percent
compared to its predecessor.
|
|
|
Quake III: Arena |
|
Real-world
OpenGL testing |
|
Again, the new ForceWare 55
driver loses a bit of performance compared to ForceWare
50. Though the difference between the two scores
isn't significant, we surely wouldn't expect a decrease in
performance, especially in a release overtly intended to
bolster the software suite's feature set.
NVIDIA boasts
a number of features in its new driver set, of which the
Application Profiles are the most significant to gamers.
The firm also claims to have added PCI Express support,
though that it fairly inconsequential until compliant
graphics hardware is available, which of course won't
happen until Intel launches its first PCI Express chipset
later this year. In the meantime, the latest
ForceWare 55 does deliver a couple of cool features,
simultaneously sacrificing performance in a couple of our
test metrics. The firm clearly has work to do fixing
bugs in its software, so we applaud the decision not to
release it just yet.
NVIDIA cites a
few instances of enhanced performance in the backup slides
of its ForceWare 55 media presentation.
Nevertheless, it'd probably be a good idea to avoid
ForceWare 55 until NVIDIA posts a revised version on its
website within the next few weeks.
HotHardware's PC Hardware Forum is all the rage! Are
you in?
|