The following are benchmarks used with the XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3 in single GPU mode (one card) and in Sli mode (using two cards), using what is regarded as the best benchmarking tool available, the 3DMark series. 3DMark 2006 is a little too powerful for a 6800 XT series (as you will see below), and 3DMark 2005 is more appropriate.
XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256MB DDR3
3DMark 2005 Pro
1
Single GPU
Core Clock (MHz)
375
OC
AA
3346 3D Marks
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
Yes
4x
2
Single GPU
Core Clock (MHz)
375
OC
AA
3699 3D Marks
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
Yes
None
3
Single GPU
Core Clock (MHz)
385
OC
AA
3814 3D Marks
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.05
Yes
None
4
SLi
Core Clock (MHz)
375
OC
AA
6254 3D Marks 86.91%
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
Yes
4x
5
SLi
Core Clock (MHz)
375
OC
AA
6821 3D Marks 84.40%
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
Yes
None
6
SLi
Core Clock (MHz)
385
OC
AA
7017 3D Marks 83.98%
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
Yes
None
3DMark 2006 Pro
7
SLi
Core Clock (MHz)
350 (stock)
OC
AA
2991 3D Marks
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.00
No
None
8
SLi
Core Clock (MHz)
385
OC
AA
3222 3D Marks
Memory Clock (GHz)
1.05
Yes
None
Notes / Observations
3DMark 2005 Pro default benchmarks used (unless otherwise noted).
nVidia 84.21 drivers used (9X.xx drivers are unstable at the time of this benchmark publication.
When in Sli mode, complete freeze-up when attempting to overclock to 400/1000 settings in the nVidia control panel. Freez-ups occur about half-way through the benchmark using 390MHz and 1GHz memory speed or higher.
SLi Works
Looking at the above 3DMark tests, we observe an 84% increase or higher when adding a second card. This is great news for anyone looking to go SLi with them.
In the next section, we'll take a look at game-specific overclocking...