Unigine provides an interesting way to test hardware. It can be easily adapted to various projects due to its elaborated software design and flexible toolset. A lot of their customers claim that they have never seen such extremely-effective code, which is so easy to understand.
Heaven Benchmark is a DirectX 11 GPU benchmark based on advanced Unigine engine from Unigine Corp. It reveals the enchanting magic of floating islands with a tiny village hidden in the cloudy skies. Interactive mode provides emerging experience of exploring the intricate world of steampunk.
Efficient and well-architected framework makes Unigine highly scalable:
- Multiple API (DirectX 9 / DirectX 10 / DirectX 11 / OpenGL) render
- Cross-platform: MS Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7) / Linux
- Full support of 32bit and 64bit systems
- Multicore CPU support
- Little / big endian support (ready for game consoles)
- Powerful C++ API
- Comprehensive performance profiling system
- Flexible XML-based data structures
We use the following settings: 1920×1080 resolution. Anti Aliasing off. Anisotrophy 4, Tessellation normal. Shaders High. Stereo 3D disabled. API: Direct X 11.
We test at 1080p so that all video cards can be compared throughout our reviews. Obviously driver updates might enhance performance slightly over time, but as a rule, its a useful way for us to present the findings.
The XFX HD6870 Black Edition cards storm past both the GTX580 and the last generation XFX HD5970 Black Edition, averaging a very impressive 69 fps.
under £140 for an overclocked HD6870? Im not often impressed, but ill mark this day down as one of them.
Shame its a reference cooler, thats disappointing for a black edition. I wonder why they do this? I suppose it would add to the price, right?
Excellent, cant go wrong with those. AMD seem to be forcing down prices in the 100-170 area
Yeah thats a mega price. I was going to buy dirt 3 for £30 on steam at the weekend, but I need a new card. ill wait another few weeks and pick one of these up
real shame about the reference cooler, its pretty average at best. although for £60, two of these could get a good upgrade to the artic cooling solution
Its basically an overclocked reference card. bit lazy from XFX.
Factoring in the price however I can forgive them. seems they hand pick them from batches as the OC headroom seems decent.
what a great price for the performance. makes the 6970 almost redundant, unless you dont like relying on driver profiles
I dealt with Crossfire years ago and it was dire, never again. GTX570 for me im afraid.
Crossfire is much better now. unless its a sponsored Nvidia game, drivers are quick.
The ideal thing about these are , buy one ‘now’ get another ‘later.
I doubt they sell many 6990s or GTX590s’
revisiting this hardware is great. I didnt know the 6870s had dropped this low. they were 180 last time I looked, for a stock clocked card.
The only other card I would consider would be the overclocked sapphire 5850 with new cooler. its much less expensive than this, although not as quick.