Test Configuration & Driver Release Notes

 

Test Configuration

Test Configuration – Hardware

  • Intel Core i7-4790K (reference 4.0GHz, HyperThreading and Turbo boost is on to 4.4GHz; DX11 CPU graphics), supplied by Intel.
  • ASUS Z97-E motherboard (Intel Z97 chipset, latest BIOS, PCOe 3.0 specification, CrossFire/SLI 8x+8x) supplied by ECS
  • Kingston 16 GB HyperX Beast DDR3 RAM (2×8 GB, dual-channel at 2133MHz, supplied by Kingston)
  • GeForce GTX 980 Ti, 4GB reference clocks, supplied by Nvidia
  • Two 2TB Toshiba 7200 rpm HDDs
  • Thermaltake ToughPower 775W power supply unit supplied by Thermaltake
  • Thermaltake Water2.0 Pro watercooler, supplied by Thermaltake
  • Onboard Realtek Audio
  • Genius SP-D150 speakers, supplied by Genius
  • Thermaltake Overseer RX-I full tower case, supplied by Thermaltake
  • ASUS 12X Blu-ray writer
  • HP LP3065 2560×1600 30″ LCD display

 

Test Configuration – Software

  • Nvidia GeForce 344.75 WHQL drivers and GeForce 347.09 WHQLdrivers. High Quality, prefer maximum performance, single display.
    Windows 7 64-bit; very latest updates
    Latest DirectX
    All games are patched to their latest versions.
    VSync is off in the control panel.
    AA enabled as noted in games; all in-game settings are specified with 16xAF always applied; 16xAF forced in control panel for Crysis.
    All results show average, minimum and maximum frame rates except as noted.
    Highest quality sound (stereo) used in all games.
    Windows 7 64, all DX10 titles were run under DX10 render paths; DX11 titles under DX11 render paths.

The 33  Game benchmarks & 3 synthetic tests

  • Synthetic
    • Firestrike – Basic & Extreme
    • Heaven 4.0
    DX9
    • The Witcher 2
    • Borderlands 2
    • Aliens: Colonial Marines
    DX10
    • Crysis
    DX11
    • STALKER, Call of Pripyat
    • Civilization V
    • Max Payne 3
    • the Secret World
    • Sleeping Dogs
    • Hitman: Absolution
    • Far Cry 3
    • Tomb Raider: 2013
    • Crysis 3
    • BioShock: Infinite
    • Metro: Last Light
    • Battlefield 4
    • Splinter Cell: Blacklist
    • ArmA 3
    • Total War: Rome II
    • Batman: Arkham Origins
    • Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
    • Thief
    • Sniper Elite 3
    • Watch_Dogs
    • GRID: Autosport
    • Middle Earth: Shadows of Mordor
    • Alien Isolation
    • Assassin’s Creed Unity
    • Civilization Beyond Earth
    • Far Cry 4
    • Dragon’s Age: Inquisition
    • The Crew

 

Lets look at Nvidia’s release notes regarding the GeForce 347.09 WHQL driver before we head to performance testing.  Please see the GeForce 347.09 Release Highlights

Release Notes Highlights for GeForce 347.09

This is a really short list from Nvidia but you can download the .pdf

New in GeForce Game Ready Drivers
The latest GeForce Game Ready driver, release 347.09 WHQL, ensures you’ll have the best possible gaming experience for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and Elite: Dangerous

Game Ready
Best gaming experience for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and Elite: Dangerous

Let’s head to the charts and compare the driver progress with the GTX 980 since we tested them last time.

 

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