Test System And Settings
We chose the “Fixed Benchmark” option in the Resident Evil 5 test in order to compare performance between different PC configurations. Note that we used two test systems: a Core i7-920-based system for the majority of the benchmarks and a Core 2 Quad Q6600-based system to demonstrate what a slower CPU architecture, lower clock speeds, and fewer CPU cores could provide in the way of performance.
Once again, we chose to test a range of graphics cards from our “Best Cards For The Money” column. This gives us a nice broad spectrum of cards to scrutinize from a range of budgets.
Our Radeon HD 4870 benchmarks were based on the performance of a reference Radeon HD 4890 that was underclocked down to Radeon HD 4870 clock rates--this will deliver reference Radeon HD 4870 performance, as the Radeon HD 4890 is essentially an overclocked Radeon HD 4870.
| Graphic Test System | CPU Test System | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-920 (Nehalem), | Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (Kentsfield), | ||
| Motherboard | ASRock X58 Supercomputer | ASUS P5K | ||
| Networking | Onboard Realtek Gigabit LAN controller | Onboard Gigabit Ethernet | ||
| Memory | Mushkin PC3-10700 | A-Data Extreme DDR2 800+ | ||
| Graphics | Sapphire HD4650 512 MB DDR2 PCIe | Asus ENGTS250 DK 1 GB DDR3 PCIe | ||
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar WD50 00AAJS-00YFA, | Western Digital Caviar WD50 00AAJS-00YFA, | ||
| Power | Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W | Ultra HE1000X | ||
| Software and Drivers | ||||
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit 6.0.6001, SP1 | |||
| DirectX version | DirectX 10 | |||
| Graphics Drivers | Nvidia ForceWare 190.38, ATI Catalyst 9.8 | |||
I got a 10FPS or 17% improvement in windows 7 x64 RTM by disabling Desktop Window Manager Session Manager Service with this demo.
Well researched and written article. Nice to see a subjectuve take on the i7 vs. Q6600 results.
Wouldn't mind seeing the results using an AMD Phenom II x3.
Interesting to see the CPU comparison at the end. Do we think the i7 was so much quicker due to architecture, HT, or both? and weighted how?
Extremely good article guys! I think you've just about covered any computer worth covering.
Anything higher is going to be playable at any resolution or settings, so definatly not worth the time testing.
keep up the good work! and great tip about the DX10!
A helpful article, as far as gaming graphics is concerned. However, it doesn't mention that the PC version still behaves exactly like it does on a console; even on a widescreen monitor you'll have trouble seeing what is around you and the controls are shockingly inadequate. There is no fluidity to the way you control the character making for a frustrating game. That's not to say that the game is jerky. I've run it on my Q6600 with a GeForce 295 GTX and the game averages over 60fps at 1920x1200 at even the highest graphics settings. It looks lovely. Pity it doesn't play the same. I love the Resident Evil series. I've played almost all of them. But this one should have stayed on the console, where it belongs.
Q6600 is a 2.66 not 1.86
Very interesting about there being no difference between DX9c and DX10 in game. I was running the game with DX10, and thinking it looked great, but now switched to DX9 and it does indeed look just as good.
One useful tip I've discovered elsewhere is that you cannot set all game options from within the game's menu. Instead, by going to Documents/CAPCOM/RESIDENT EVIL 5/config.ini and opening that file in notepad you can change and enable more settings.
Of most use is for those with Crossfire or SLI setups as there is an option to enable it by changing from SLI=NO to SLI=YES. It is also reported by some people to also greatly improve dual cards such as the 4870x2 and GTX295.
And for those of you running a 64bit OS, you can switch the game into 64bit mode by changing the HDR from HDR=LOW to HDR=HIGH. Definitely worth doing if you do.
On my system, which is a Q6600, 8GB RAM, XFX 4870 1GB, Vista Ultimate 64bit, I'm running the game at 1280x1024 with everything set to high, and HDR set to high. And using DX9c. It runs very nicely at over 70fps in all the benchmark tests. With an overall average of 77.3fps.