Testing – Suites
Starting off with some benchmarking suites, we tested the ASUS HD 7970 DirectCU II initially with 3DMark11. 3DMark11 is a notoriously popular method of gauging 3D performance, producing a score at the end of the run. Utilizing DirectX 11 (hence the name), advanced lighting, shadows, tessellation and others, it makes sure to test the capabilities of your hardware.

We tested with two different settings: Performance, which optimizes 3DMark11 for a 720p environment, and then Extreme, which optimizes for a 1080p environment.

Following 3DMark11, we utilized its sister suite, 3DMark Vantage. 3DMark Vantage is optimized for the previous generation of DirectX, DirectX 10, but that doesn’t make its results any less relevant. Again, like its younger sibling, 3DMark Vantage presents a score at the end of its benchmarking routine.

We tested with the Performance setting first, then the High setting.