GeForce GTS 450 O/C Roundup: Six Custom-Tuned Cards
Anyone interested in Nvidia's GeForce GTS 450 has a keen eye for value. But many enthusiasts still want the best performance they can afford. In today’s test, six factory-overclocked models challenge a standard-speed card in performance and value.
Test Settings
Test System Configuration | |
---|---|
CPU | Intel Core i3-530 (2.93 GHz, 4 MB Shared L3 Cache)Overclocked to 4.00 GHz at 1.25 V, 200 MHz BCLK |
Motherboard | ASRock P55 Extreme4 BIOS 1.42 (08-20-2010), Intel P55 Express, LGA 1156 |
RAM | Kingston KHX2133C9D3T1K2/4GX (4 GB), DDR3-2133 at DDR3-1600 CAS 7-7-7-21 |
OS Hard Drive | Western Digital Velociraptor WD3000HLFS, 300 GB, 10 000 RPM, SATA 3Gb/s, 16 MB cache |
Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
Power | OCZ-Z1000 1000 W Modular ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold |
Software | |
OS | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit |
GeForce Graphics | Nvidia Ion 260.63 |
Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.1.1020 |
Seeking a platform that represented the settings an enthusiastic GeForce GTS 450 buyer might employ, we pushed a Core i3-530 CPU to 4 GHz while keeping heat in check at 1.25 volts.
ASRock’s P55 Extreme4 was already on the bench from a previous review, and happens to match the high-value market that GeForce GTS 450 buyers are likely to embrace.
The one sticking point in our configuration, its memory was chosen for convenience. “Keeping it real” forced us to use settings that are possible with lower-cost parts.
Benchmark Configuration | |
---|---|
3D Games | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
Aliens Vs. Predator Benchmark | Alien vs Predator Benchmark Tool Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 | Campaign, Act III, Second Sun (45 sec. FRAPS) Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
Crysis | Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit executable, benchmark tool Test Set 1: Highest Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Quality, 4x AA |
DiRT 2 | Run with -benchmark example_benchmark.xml Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x AA |
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat | Call Of Pripyat Benchmark version Test Set 1: Highest Settings, No AA Test Set 2: Highest Settings, 4x MSAA |
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.0.1, System and GPU scores |
FurMark 1.6.5 | Stability Test, 1920x1200, 4x AA |
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