3DMark06 is the very latest version of the “Gamers Benchmark” from FutureMark. The newest version of 3DMark expands on the tests in 3DMark05 by adding graphical effects using Shader Model 3.0 and HDR (High Dynamic Range lighting) which will push even the best DX9 graphics cards to the extremes.
3DMark06 also focuses on not just the GPU but the CPU using the AGEIA PhysX software physics library to effectively test single and Dual Core processors.
Straight away we can see the $500ish AUD HD 4850 combo beat out the competition. The single card, while sitting at the back carries a very small price tag, yet it sits not all that far behind the heavily overclocked 9800 GTX OCX from BFG.
