How we test
GPU comparisons |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphics cards | Current pricing | Shader model | Stream processors | GPU clock speed (MHz) | Shader clock speed (MHz) | Memory clock speed (MHz) | Memory bus width (bits) | Graphics driver |
| ZOTAC GeForce GTX 460 768MB | £125 | 5.0 | 336 | 675 | 1,350 | 3,600 | 192 | ForceWare 260.52 |
| ASUS GeForce GTS 450 OC 1,024MB | £110 | 5.0 | 192 | 925 | 1,850 | 4,000 | 128 | ForceWare 260.52 |
| NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 1,024MB | £95 | 5.0 | 192 | 783 | 1,566 | 3,608 | 128 | ForceWare 260.52 |
| ASUS GeForce GT 430 1,024MB | £60 (est) | 5.0 | 96 | 700 | 1,400 | 1,600 | 128 | ForceWare 260.77 |
| HIS Radeon HD 5770 1,024MB | £110 | 5.0 | 800 | 850 | 850 | 4,800 | 128 | Catalyst 10.8 |
| Sapphire Radeon HD 5750 1,024MB | £90 | 5.0 | 720 | 700 | 700 | 4,600 | 128 | Catalyst 10.8 |
| Sapphire Radeon HD 5670 1,024MB | £80 | 5.0 | 400 |
775 | 775 | 4,000 | 128 | Catalyst 10.8 |
| Sapphire Radeon HD 5550 512MB* | £60 | 5.0 | 320 |
650 | 650 | 4,000 | 128 | Catalyst 10.9 |
| AMD Radeon HD 4550 512MB | £30 | 4.0 | 80 |
600 | 600 | 1,600 | 64 | Catalyst 10.9 |
Test bench |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 750 (2.67GHz, 8MB L3) | |||||||||||
| Motherboard | ASUS P7P55D Premium | |||||||||||
| Motherboard BIOS | 1807 | |||||||||||
| Memory | 4GB Kingston DDR3 | |||||||||||
| Memory timings and speed | 9-9-9-24-1T @ DDR3-1,333 | |||||||||||
| PSU | Corsair HX850W | |||||||||||
| Monitor | Dell 24in 2405FPW - 1,920x1,200px | |||||||||||
| Disk drive(s) | Corsair Nova V128 SSD | |||||||||||
| Operating system | Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit | |||||||||||
Benchmarks |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mafia II | DX9, 1,280x1,024 and 1,680x1,050 resolutions, 0xAA, 8xAF, medium quality | |||||||||||
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | DX9, 1,280x1,024 and 1,680x1,050 resolutions, 2xAA, normal quality, FRAPS-recorded benchmark. | |||||||||||
| Crysis Warhead | DX10, 1,280x1,024 and 1,680x1,050 resolutions, 0xAA, mainstream quality, Frost map, FRAPS-recorded benchmark. | |||||||||||
| DiRT 2 | DX11, 1,280x1,024 and 1,680x1,050 resolutions, 2xAA, ultra quality, London map. | |||||||||||
| Temperature | To emulate real-world usage scenarios, we record GPU core temperature both when idle and whilst playing Crysis Warhead. | |||||||||||
| Power consumption | To emulate real-world usage scenarios, we record mains power draw both when idle and whilst playing Crysis Warhead. | |||||||||||
| GPGPU | We use CyberLink's MediaShow Espresso 6 to convert a 382MB wmv file into the Apple iPhone format. | |||||||||||
| Blu-ray | We use CyberLink's Power DVD 10 to play chapter 14 of the Matrix Reloaded Blu-ray film and note CPU load. | |||||||||||
Testing notes
* the Radeon HD 5550 isn't a standard model. It features GDDR5 memory operating at an effective 4,000MHz. Most partner cards run with GDDR3 memory at 1,600MHz. Please bear this in mind when comparing results.We've thrown in a number of modern graphics cards that will help determine the GT 430's relative standing. The Radeon HD 4550 512MB GPU is included for two purposes. Firstly, it gives us an indication of low-end discrete GPU performance from two years ago. Secondly, its specifications remain a little better than any integrated graphics', so a look at its results will show the step up from truly budget to mainstream graphics.
