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Napoleon: Total War is a turn-based strategy and real-time tactics video game released for the PC, developed by The Creative Assembly and published by Sega. Napoleon was released in North America on 23 February 2010, and in Europe on 26 February. The game is the sixth stand-alone installment in the Total War series, and focuses on the politics and major military campaigns at the beginning of the 19th century. Players assume the role of Napoleon Bonaparte, or one of his major rivals, on a turn-based campaign map and engage in the subsequent battles in real-time. As with its predecessor, Empire: Total War, which included a special United States storyline, Napoleon features a separate campaign that follows the general’s early career.
The game features several significant improvements compared to previous titles in the franchise. There is improved multi core support which helps improve overall performance and there is a new unit rendering algorithm in place which offers a wider range of individual personas. Particle effects also get a makeover with a 500% increase and post processing is taken to the next level in regards to weather effects.
Creative Assembly have also added features such as camera vignette to the lighting models and recoded some aspects of their SSAO which now can be used as a light attenuator as well as a full screen implementation device. Parallax mapped high terrain detail and heat haze are featuresets also recently added.
We performed testing with settings maxed at 1920×1200 with 2aa and 16 texture filtering applied.
The GTX 480 and the HD5870 are pretty close in performance figures with the GTX480 gaining 5fps minimum. When comparing against the overclocked XFX Black Edition HD5870 however its neck and neck with an almost identical experience.
Heck. the OCed H5870 from XFX really gives it a close call at times. nice review
Performance of the GTX 480 is impressive but I am concerned about the temps, nice to get another confirmation how hot it runs. you would really need a top top case for this puppy.
4 out of 5 seems slightly generous, no? The noise, heat and power requirements alone are mental.
Maybe 4/5 is too high, but this audience I dont think care about saving 10 bucks on electric, or dealing with a bit of fan noise, they aint watching movies with this power house.
They are good cards, but they need new cooling solutions, wont be long before that happens.
Thanks, first one ive seen with the XFX Black edition in the mix. very very close they are too. I think id opt for the HD5870 BE due to the noise reductions and lower power consumption.
Sam the only issue is people buying these I dont think care about a bit more power consumption and some more noise. The heat is a bit frigthening long term, but it will probably be ok. Could double up in the morning to cook your bacon and eggs too. added bonus 🙂
I dont care if Steve Jobs and Bill Gates had me tied up in an office with a wet lettuce and a swedish stripper. 90-105c is not good for any electricial component over a year. These will fail, just like the X2s before them did for AMD.
It’s the fastest single chip, but not the fastest single card. The GTX465 and Radeon HD5850 will hit 60fps in most games at 1920×1080. Can’t see a market for the 480/490. But the scores are tasty as much as the card is toasty!
Wicked review Z, thanks 🙂
No doubt its the fastest single core card on the market, but its getting there by really just sucking in as much juice as possible and making a racket while doing it. I have never heard one in person but going on multiple reviews ive read its quite noticeable.
Still, I wouldnt turn one down, but I still think the 5870 is the card to get. Overall, its quieter, more efficient, clocks well and still gives stonking performance.