X3: Reunion	Source: EGOSOFT

Extensive development has gone into the X³ engine, making full use of DirectX 9 technology, to create dramatic visual effects and stunningly realistic starships. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: REUNION will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a players actions really can shape the future of the universe.

X3: Reunion
1024x768:	FPS	Ranking
Foxconn 975X7AA-8EKRS2H (975X 200/667)	58.146
Athlon64 X2 5000+/nForce 570 SLI (200/800)	58.267
Athlon64 X2 5000+/nForce 590 SLI (200/800)	57.858
Athlon64 X2 5000+/GF6150 (200/800 Onboard Video)	9.865
Athlon64 X2 5000+/GF6150 (200/800 7800GTX)	58.968
Sempron 3600+/GeForce 6150 (200/533 Onboard Video)	9.473
Sempron 3600+/GeForce 6150 (200/533 7800GTX)	49.473
Sempron 3600+/GeForce 6150 (200/533 7600GT)	43.882

X3: Reunion says the onboard GeForce 6150 is not powerful enough. The $92 GeForce 7600GT gets you decent framerates. The GeForce 7800GTX is fastest but it's also three times the price of the mainstream videocard.

Doom 3	Source: id Software

Doom 3 takes advantage of the latest videocard technology and pushes the processing power of the CPU to its absolute limit. At its highest setting, Ultra quality, texture sizes pass the 500MB mark which means even tomorrow's videocards will have a hard time running everything. The frame rates in the game itself are locked at 60 fps so anything above that point is wasted. Each test is run three times with the third run being recorded.

The onboard GeForce 6150 is outclassed again... to play Doom 3, you'll want to get yourself a standalone videocard. The GeForce 7600GT shows off its excellent value, just 4 fps shy of the GeForce 7800GTX and it's $200 cheaper.

Quake 4	Source: id Software

Quake 4 is the latest shooter from ID and is based on the Doom 3 engine. Tweaked to for more eye candy, Quake 4 promises to be tougher on videocards and systems than its predecessor was. Quake 4 also does not have a 60 fps limiter like Doom 3, with the Ultra setting, graphic textures can surpass the 500MB mark! Each test is run three times and with the third run being recorded.

Quake 4 shows similar results to Doom 3. In terms of "value", if you're a gamer that AMD Sempron 3600+ and GeForce 7600GT videocard are looking mighty nice right now.