Half-Life 2 is a popular franchise and we benchmark the video cards using Episode Two with the aid of HOC Half-Life 2 Episode Two benchmarking utility using the “HOC Demo 1” provided by this program. We ran the game in three 16:10 widescreen resolutions, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, and 2560×1600, under two scenarios. First with quality set to maximum, bilinear filtering and anti-aliasing set to x0. This configuration we are calling “low” on the charts and tables below. Then we maxed out image quality settings, enabling x16 anisotropic filtering and 16xQCS anti-aliasing. This configuration we are calling “high” on our charts and tables. We updated the game up to the June 9th 2008 patch. The results below are the average number of frames per second (FPS) achieved by each card.
Let’s test this entry-level power supply from the Dutch company, Nexus, with the manufacturer promising efficiency above 80% even though this unit doesn’t have the 80 Plus certification.
Today NZXT is releasing a new full-tower case, the Switch 810. Let’s take a look at this huge case that comes with nine expansion slots and several other features.
Let’s see if the 550 W version of the new TX M power supply series from Corsair, with 80 Plus Bronze certification, modular cabling system, and DC-DC design is a good option.
Conqueror (a.k.a. RPS-01) is an entry-level mid-tower case from Rosewill with some interesting features usually found only on more expensive models. Check it out.
Cooler Master has also released a high-quality power supply series called UCP with an internal design similar to Seasonic M12D, Antec Signature and Corsair HX units but costing far less. Is it a good product?
