Testing (continued):

FutureMark 3DMark Vantage:

FutureMark's 3DMark Vantage was the next test to be executed. The complete suite of tests was first executed in "Performance" mode, which uses a 1280x1024 resolution. We'll take a look at just the GPU and Total scores, and higher values are better for both.



The results surprised me, as the GTS 250 finished dead last. I assumed that it would squeak out a slight victory over its close relative (the 9800 GTX+), but that wasn't the case. I re-tested both cards, and the results were duplicated within a few Marks.

3DMark Vantage was run a second time on each configuration, this time in "High" mode which uses a 1680x1050 resolution. The GTS 250 again finished dead last, and the margin of defeat scaled up roughly in a linear fashion.



Perhaps my expectations were way off, or perhaps I underestimated the Sparkle 9800 GTX+, but I had to try something else to make sure the results were right. Testing just the 9800GTX+ and the GTS 250 head-to-head, I wound up re-installing the drivers, updating to the latest Nvidia drivers, and trying Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit. The results were all the same... The 9800 GTX+ performed better in 3DMark Vantage each time.