Battlefield 2 GPU Performance Analysis

[Steve]

Anandtech test budget, mainstream and performance graphics cards in a series of Battlefield 2 tests.

This is an excellent example of a game built around programmable shader power. The geometry and textures are solid updates from the original Unreal Engine adaptation used in Battlefield 1942, and the effects and polish on the final product make the experience complete. Explosions, fog, smoke, fire, water, environments, and other visual effects all come together to really immerse the player in the game.

And to run a game like BF2 in all its glory, gamers need cards that can handle the load. As we've shown, the card doesn't need to be expensive to provide a good gameplay experience. The budget cards handled budget lower resolutions just fine for casual gaming (with no AA enabled), and midrange solutions are just fine for the Battlefield aficionado (offering either 10x7 with AA or 12x10 without as solidly playable resolutions). For those hardcore gamers out there who demand the absolute in performance with frame rates so high they could slow it down and see bullets (disclaimer: this is not actually possible), the higher end cards are required.

So to run it with all the bells and whistles you need a high-end card. Well, I never!

[The review]