AMD 7970HD 3Gb and CoD

[Majo]

First of all I can re-confirm, as it has been mentioned before in this thread, that the HD7970 3GB GPU
works perfectly with a 600W PSU.
So no additional cost for the upgrade.

I have 2 basic systems running CloD based in P67, 2500K and 8GB RAM with the only significant difference
of the GPU a HD7970 3G vs GTX580 1,5GB.
They both run in 1920x1080, they both share, as much as possible, graphic configuration in the driver
control panels, the both share graphic options, as much as possible, in the game.

In game Graphic Options values in high, but Low in Forest, Low in building detail, Medium Effects,
Medium Decals.
Unlimited buildings.
Grass, Shadows & Roads on.
VSYNC in game On for ATI, VSYNC forced On in driver for Nvidia.
I do not want to enter much into detail because at this moment this is not the objective of this post.
Even though I am open to any specific request.
All the comparison has been done with the Black Death Track, no flying low over London for me…

With both systems I have very similar results.
Average always over 50FPS with consistent values in the 51-53 FPS.
Maximum limited to 60FPS (VSYNC ON).
Minimum 3-6FPS for Nvidia 12-15FPS for ATI.

Here, in the minimum, is where the most significant difference appears. ATI is able to handle better,
twice as better, the effects related to dust, explosions, fire and so on. Still the frame hit is excessively
stressful for the GPU.

When the hurri is blasted by explosions while is trying to take off is the moment of maximum stress
for the GPU. There are others, for example the ball of fire after the vertical crash of the wingless hurri,
or the right turn of the bf110 around the huge smoke column.

No difference in AA, that is bad. External tool FXAA works perfect in both configurations.
Shadow “flickering” same for both, neither able to correctly manage the shadows of smoke,
bad for both.

Others consideration, after a 4 times cycles of track playing the ATI reaches a stable temp. of 70ºC
with the only standard available fan/cooler. GTX580 seems to be cooler but the model I have do not
uses the standard cooler. Noise level is always at acceptable values.
Nvidia seems to be more comfortable with the original Il-2 at max. settings (not shown in FPS counters),
but ATI has solved all issues with the OGL drivers.

Beware I also belong to the "no manned cars, no manned tanks, no manned flack, just planes" lobby group.
So this could be all wrong.

Salutes, Majo.