Test Setup & Benchmarking Procedure
We’re going to be running the inno3d iChiLL GTX 680 through a full range of tests to check its performance against the competition. As we have recently completely overhauled our GPU testing procedure, some tests may not have comparison data simply because those cards have not been tested under the new procedure. As time goes on, comparison results will become readily available.
This is the system we will be using to test the inno3d iChiLL GTX 680 4GB:
Processor: Intel i5 3570k @ 4.5Ghz
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake WATER2.0 Performer
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6
Memory: Samsung 30nm Green 8GB (2x 4GB) @ 2400Mhz CL10
Graphics Card: inno3d iChiLL GTX 680 4GB
Power Supply: OCZ ZX 850
Storage: Plextor M3 128GB SSD
Case: NZXT Switch 810 SE
As always we’re first going to verify our numbers and make sure we’re accurately reporting the performance specification of the card. Here’s a GPU-Z screenshot, listing all the information required.
Benchmarking Information
When we cover graphics cards, we always run the same benchmarking suites and then a selection of the most popular and hardware intensive games available.
Firstly, the suites we’ll be using are:
Suite | Settings |
3DMark 11 | Performance 720p, Extreme 1080p |
3DMark Vantage | Performance 720p |
The demo benchmarks we’ll be using are:
Demo/Bench Tool | Settings |
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Call of Pripyat | Ultra preset, DX11, 1920×1080, MSAA 4x, SSAO: HBAO, Tessellation enabled. |
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Clear Sky | Ultra Preset, DX10.1, 1920×1080, MSAA 4x, Alpha AA 10.1 (High) |
Alien Vs. Predator | Resolution: 1920×1080, Textures: Very High, Shadows: High, Anisotropic Filtering: 16x, SSAO: On, Tessellation: On, DX11 Advanced Shadows: On, MSAA: 4x |
Unigine Heaven | DX11, Tessellation: Extreme, Anisotropy: 16x, Anti-Aliasing: 8x, Resolution: 1920×1080. |
Stone Giant | Resolution: 1920×1080, Tessellation: High, Aspect Ratio: 16:9 |
Finally, the full games we’ll be utilizing are:
Game | Map/Mission/Zone | Presets and Benchmarking Method |
Battlefield 3 | Operation Swordbreaker | Preset: Ultra, 1920×1080. Using full game with 200 second FRAPS. |
Metro 2033 | Frontline | DX 11, 1920×1080, “Very High” quality preset, MSAA 4x, AF 16x. DOF On. PhysX is disabled in order to provide a fair playing field for AMD GPU’s. Using full game’s built in benchmarking tool. |
Crysis II | Times Square | Quality: Ultra, 1920×1080, 4x Anti-Aliasing, DX11, Edge AA, Hi-res texture pack enabled. Using full game with Adrenaline Crysis 2 Benchmark Tool 1.0.1.14 |
Max Payne 3 | Boat Chase Scene, Chapter V, Checkpoint 13 | DX11, 1920×1080, VSync off, Textures/Water/Reflections/Shadows: Very High, Shaders: High, Tessellation: Very High, FXAA: Very High, MSAA: 8x, Anisotropic Filtering: 16x, Using full game, 180 second FRAPS. |
TES V:Skyrim | Opening cart scene | Preset: Ultra. 1920×1080. Using full game. 180 seconds FRAPS. |