Testing

Test Setup

Methodology

To test graphics cards, we use a fresh install of windows XP Pro x86 and Vista Ultimate x86 and run the card(s) through a series of synthetic and real world gaming benchmarks.

The tests that were run were as follows:

• 3Dmark Vantage
• 3Dmark06
• Lost Planet
• Crysis
• Unreal Tournament

All tests were run 3 times with the results averaged to give the final score.

For comparison purposes, a Sapphire 4850 was used. This card should perform a fair ammount better than the 9600GT, but it’s simply there to give us something to guage the card’s score on. The price difference between the cards is noted at the end of this review, and puts the results in perspective.