VGA performance: 32x AA
Anti Aliasing (32xCSAA) performance
We could not leave out at least one specific test where we show you AA performance specifically done at 32x Anti-Aliasing. We explained that what NVIDIA is doing with the 32x CSAA mode is relatively simple to manage, they take eight color samples and then 24 coverage samples to define your AA pixel color value. The method was actually already introduced on G80 and GT200 if my memory serves me right, but has been improved. The GT200 however managed 16xCSAA with eight color samples and eight coverage samples.
Now we load up Battlefield Bad Company 2 again and try out three sample patterns, 8x, 16x and 32xAA.
Have a look at the results, as quite honestly I was surprised by the low impact the new AA mode has on performance, check it out:
The results above are the GeForce GTX 470. Now as you can see, if we take 1920x1200 as a reference, the difference in-between a jump from 8xAA towards 32xAA is only ~15%
And here, the GeForce GTX 480. Anyway, fool around with it if you get a chance to do so. Results obviously can differ per game.
