3DMark06
Image Quality
The architectural benefits of the Radeon X1900 series really shine when you start to combine antialiasing with high-dynamic-range rendering. We compared images from the Radeon rendered at 1600x1200 with 4xAA and 16xAF, while the Nvidia setup could only run at 1600x1200 with 16xAF. Nvidia's cards are not able to run antialiasing with certain high-dynamic-range titles. As for the images, they speak for themselves. ATI's output is superior simply because it can apply antialiasing, thus making all of the edges smooth.
Performance
Both setups perform identically, unless there are those among us that can visually differentiate between a single percentage-point of difference. The Radeon machine walks away with an easy victory once we enabled antialiasing, since 3DMark06 does not output a result for the Nvidia setup as it cannot run the test.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Verdict
Once we enabled antialiasing, ATI swept the field with 3DMark06. Nvidia's implementation cannot compete if you want both HDR rendering and antialiasing at the same time.
System Setup:
AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 CPU, Asus A8N32 SLI Deluxe, Asus A8R32-MVP Deluxe Motherboard, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS Memory, 160GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP Professional SP2.
Graphics Cards: GeForce 7900 GTX, Radeon X1900 XTX.
Graphics Drivers: ATI Catalyst 6.2, Nvidia ForceWare 84.17.
Grudge Match: SLI vs CrossFire
Nvidia's GeForce 7900 GTX SLI vs. ATI's Radeon X1900 XTX CrossFire. Who comes out the victor?
