NVIDIA 780a: Integrated Graphics and SLI in One
by Gary Key on May 6, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- CPUs
Media Performance
We will take a brief look at general media performance with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0. Our test is one recommended by Intel, but the test itself is fair and results are very repeatable. This test simply measures the amount of time required to fix and optimize 103 different photos weighing in at 63MB. We report results in seconds, with lower times indicating better performance.
There is only a 1% difference between the chipsets with the 780a slightly edging out the 790FX in this CPU/Memory intensive benchmark. We attribute the differences to BIOS tuning although the 780G scoring measurably lower than the 790FX surprised us.
Media Encoding Performance
We are utilizing Nero Recode 2, DivX 6.8, and Windows Media Encoder x64 for our video encoding tests. The scores listed include the full encoding process represented in seconds, with lower numbers indicating better performance.
Nero Recode 2
Our first series of tests is quite easy - we take our original Office Space DVD and use AnyDVD to rip the full DVD to the hard drive without compression, thus providing an almost exact duplicate of the DVD. We then fire up Nero Recode 2, select our Office Space copy on the hard drive, and perform a shrink operation to allow the entire movie along with extras to fit on a single 4.5GB DVD disc. We leave all options on their defaults except we uncheck the advanced analysis option.
DivX 6 Converter
Our second test has us using DivX Converter to encode a 23MB AVI file into a pleasing 1080P DivX format for playback.
Windows Media Encoder x64
Our final test consists of using Windows Media Encoder's advanced video profile to encode a 128MB WMV file into one suitable for progressive download across our Web server.
Encoding Summary
Our CPU intensive encoding tests did not generate a clear-cut winner. Once again, the differences between all of the chipsets are minor at best. We recommend when purchasing a board based on these chipsets that you chose it based on features and support as the scores just do not justify another decision.
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SiliconDoc - Monday, July 28, 2008 - link
Very glad this happens : " The good news is that ASUS has replicated several of our problems and we expect a new BIOS release shortly for use in the motherboard review. "That's what I call useful review that isn't a waste of time. Glad you have the reputation and the pull. ( one wonders what they do at Acer - I guess they wait for you guys to tell them...)
piroroadkill - Sunday, May 11, 2008 - link
I agree with the guys who are saying they need to make discrete (not discreet, jesus) GPUs consume much less power when idling, even if that means a hybridpower style segmentation of the gpu, but it should be done all on the hardware, completely transparent to the chipset and systemKGR - Saturday, May 10, 2008 - link
Maybe hybrid sli doesnt help frame rates too much , but it can make sense when nvidia integrates the Ageia pysics in gpu, then the mgpu can take the load of physics and the dgpu the graphics in hybrid mode, i dont know if it is possible but i think it is...duploxxx - Thursday, May 8, 2008 - link
Always like to read the reviews and comments from your site, but why don't you just provide proof with real data instead of a hit in the dark. You already have big parts of the data in an other review.(http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3232...">http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3232...
" Whether or not this price tag is worth the premium over the nForce 750a SLI boards is up for debate. It's not really in our opinion as we do not believe the current AMD processor series is capable of the required computational power needed to support 3-way SLI or Quad SLI configurations. This is not a knock against NVIDIA as AMD has the same problem with Quad CrossFire; it just reflects the current state of the processor offerings from AMD."
why don't you just put 9750-9850+790fx+2-3way crossfire against q6600/q9300+x38+2-3way and compare total price/performance/power but perhaps need to add a x48 board since the lack of pci-e lanes on the x38
you could do the same with lower spec P35 but then again this board has no decent feature set against current amd chipset offerings when you talk about multi gpu setup but would still be interesting to read what happens when using CF on this board against amd770
gipper - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
So why isn't the 750a going to be the perfect HTPC motherboard?Aren't the two requirements for the perfect HTPC motherboard native 1080p output via HDMI and 7.1 LPCM audio on the same HDMI connector? Also, the post processing with a phenom matches the AMD 780 chip feature set.
So, I don't understand why you would say that the AMD 780 is better for HTPC's.
Or are you guys suggesting that it's best to wait for the AMD 780 refresh that includes 7.1 LPCM because the integrated graphics perform so much better?
Gary Key - Thursday, May 8, 2008 - link
I personally believe the 750a would make an excellent HTPC system if you utilize a ATX case design, might plan on using it for gaming with a discreet video card, and can afford it. The GF8300 board that just arrived is a better solution at first glance (if a uATX design and not having SLI capability is important) and compares favorably to the 780G from a price to performance viewpoint, more so than the GF8200. We will have an update on it next week.We received the 175.16 drivers right after the article went live and will have some post-processing comparisons (174.14s did not handle this right) this weekend between the two chipsets. Right now, it is a toss up in my opinion, and due to that fact, I would go NV for the multi-channel LPCM.
The Jedi - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
A couple of points here:[QUOTE]
This is absolutely unacceptable and would prevent us from recommending the 780a as anything more than just another SLI motherboard. HybridPower is quite possibly the best feature for a high-end SLI user and if it won't work with 30" displays then its usefulness is severely degraded.
[/QUOTE]
I'll tell ya I use a 26" LCD TV on my desktop and it's big enough. I don't need 2560x1600. 1080p (1200p) is fine and matches the pixels on HDTV. Anything 1080p capable is completely reasonable. Just up the AA or AF if the FPS are too fast for ya. Just because Dell or Apple says Uber-users need a 30-inch LCD to be cool doesn't make it true. 24", 26", 27", these are great on today's desks. I really think a 30" LCD on my desk would be too big.
Gary Key, you da man, seriously, but proofread the article for typos.
Last point, and this goes for all of Anandtech's staff: Respect due, but seriously: NO dGPU. Call it A VIDEO CARD. Or -- A GRAPHICS CARD. Also, no calling a product from a CPU or GPU company a 'part' . Call it a chip -- or a CPU or a graphics chip, etc.
strikeback03 - Thursday, May 8, 2008 - link
I'd love to see a 2560x1600 24-26" display, the more resolution the better. If that 9 megapixel LCD weren't several thousand dollars it would be sweet.Wolfcastle - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
The author should clean up the grammar a bit. Anandtech has a large audience.James5mith - Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - link
Maybe I'm just foolish here, but for the extreme overclocking crowd, I see an immediate and tangible benefit:If you happen to fry your video card while OC'ing it, you can use the onboard video as a stopgap until you get it repaired.