NVIDIA's version 28.32
Detonators are the most updated drivers for the reference
design, but ASUS has also released a set of 28.80 drivers
that are available on the ASUS site. In our GeForce4
launch piece, we covered the latest series of Detonator
drivers more thoroughly, so be sure to
check it out this page, if you'd like to see
driver screen shots featuring the Accuview anti-aliasing
technology, nView, and the new Transparency feature.
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Screenshots |
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AquaNox, in all of
it's DX8 glory |
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The
included Aquanox game is one of the first shipping DirectX 8
games capable of utilizing vertex and pixel shaders.
The underwater light-streaming effects and drifting plankton
make for an eerily realistic environment, while dynamic
lights and shadows further enhance game play. The game
is also capable of setting its own levels of anti-aliasing
and detail. Here is what NVIDIA has to say about
AquaNox.
"AquaNox
leverages the GeForce3 nfiniteFX engine to deliver
photo-realism in real time. Over 160 Vertex Shaders are used
to implement special effects such as layered fog, caustics,
photo-realistic materials, radiosity lighting, and real-time
shadows. Higher order surfaces are used to create organic
enemies, and Pixel Shaders are utilized for bump mapping and
volumetric lighting effects.
Massive
Development has been working closely with NVIDIA to expose
the awesome power of GeForce3 in their forthcoming title
AquaNox," said Sanford Russell, Senior Director of Partner
Management at NVIDIA. "Geforce3's nfiniteFX? engine has
enabled Massive Development to bring real-time Hollywood
quality to their game. Only by using NVIDIA's hardware
Vertex Shaders and Pixel Shaders, are they able to achieve
their unique lighting solution at great frame rates. AquaNox
and its technology, the krass?engine impressed us! NVIDIA
looks forward to working with Massive Development again in
the future to take games and gamers to the next level."
Shots taken on the ASUS V8460
Ultra GeForce 4 Ti 4600 Card
Click for full viewing
Although the
game was originally optimized to run with the GeForce3, you
can only imagine how much better it runs on the GeForce4
using parallel Vertex Shaders. Of course, these
screenshots don't look nearly as good as the actual game
play...
2D Desktop Image Quality:
NVIDIA has
been criticized time and time again for the 2D quality of
their graphics processors. However, the blame doesn?t
fall entirely upon them. When third-party
manufacturers are making design decisions, component quality
is often sacrificed, leading to decreased VGA signal quality
as resolutions and refresh rates increase. The V8460
demonstrated a much clearer image in our labs, especially at
high resolutions like 1600x1200.
Test
Setup, Quake 3 With and Without AA and Anisotropic Filtering
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