Crysis 3 Performance Test: Graphics & CPU

The underlying connection was closed: The connection was closed unexpectedly.
Built with CryEngine2, the original Crysis raised the bar for PC gaming graphics in 2007 with the most stunningly detailed visuals that crippled even the fastest of the rigs. Looking back at our first Crysis performance article, which was based on the game's demo, the fastest GPU available at the time (the GeForce 8800 GTX 768 MB) struggled to average 30 fps when running at 1920 x 1200 with high quality settings is the DirectX 10.

Given how on "punishing the first game was, we were excited to explore the 2011 's CryEngine 3-based Crysis 2, but it was quickly apparent that the second installment wouldn't be a repeat performance. Not to say it didn't look better, but relative to Crytek's in the first title, the sequel didn't really set any new benchmarks. It was just another computer game that made great use of DX9, though DX11 was eventually patched in.

Fast forward two years and Crytek has given us another opportunity to hammer some hardware with the arrival of Crysis 2 this month. Like the second title, the third installment has been built with the CryEngine 3, though that doesn't mean you should expect lousy PC features, as the engine has been updated with improved dynamic cloth and vegetation, better lighting and shadows, and plenty more.


Plus, PC gamers won't have to wait for graphical extras. Crysis 3 launched with high resolution textures, DX11 support and plenty of customization options that set it apart from the diluted consoles builds. The result looks incredible and we get the feeling this will prove to be the game that folks who are heavily best-invested in multi-GPU setups have been waiting for. Here's hoping we aren't woefully disappointed.

We'll be testing 18 DirectX 11 graphics card configurations from AMD and Nvidia, which is considerably less than the 29 me tested for Far Cry 3 because even with the medium quality preset activated, there are almost no low-to high-end graphics cards that can play Crysis 3, even at 1680 x 1050.

The latest drivers will be used, and every card will be paired with an Intel Core i7-3960X to remove the CPU bottlenecks that could influence the high-end GPU scores.

We're using Fraps to measure frame rates during the 90 seconds of gameplay footage from Crysis 3 's in the first level, "Post Human". The test starts as soon as Michael "Psycho" Sykes hands you his backup weapon, we then simply follow the party leader until the time runs out.


We'll test in Crysis 3 at three common desktop display resolutions: 1680 x 1050, 1920 x 1200 and 2560 x 1600, using the DX11 mode. For the very high-quality test, we'll set the "overall quality" in the menu to the very high video quality while also setting the SMAA level to 1 (low). The high and medium-quality tests will also be conducted with SMAAx1 enabled.
Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition (3072 MB), Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 (3072 MB), Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 Boost (3072 MB), Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 (3072 MB), AMD Radeon HD 7870 (2048MB) AMD Radeon HD 7850 (2048MB) of the HIS Radeon HD 7770 (1024 MB) of the HIS Radeon HD 69 (2048MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 (4096MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 (2048MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 (2048MB), Gainward GeForce GTX 660 Ti (2048MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 (2048MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 Ti (2048MB), Gigabyte GeForce GTX 580 (1536MB)The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 Ti (1024 MB) Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 (1536MB), Intel Core i7 Extreme Edition 3960X (3.30 GHz) x 4 4 GB g.skill DDR3-1600 (CAS 8-8-8-20), the Gigabyte G1.Assassin2 (Intel X 79) OCZ ZX Series 1250wCrucial m4 512 GB (SATA 6 GB/s), Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 64-bitNvidia Forceware 314.07 AMD Catalyst 8.2 (Beta 6)