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With the release of a next generation GPU or video card we expect that the new video card will deliver faster framerates, better acceleration of shader programs, and other techniques to enhance performance. As gamers we want next generation video cards to provide better performance so that game developers can incorporate better graphics and shader programs to make games look better. The new GeForce GTX 680, the first GPU based on NVIDIA's Kepler architecture, has done exactly this.

We've looked at the GeForce GTX 680 in terms of performance and overclocking. The GeForce GTX 680 has proven to be a competitive video card at its $499 price point, delivering better performance than the previous GeForce GTX 580 did when it was launched at the same price point. NVIDIA did not stop with just relying on performance improvements to carry the GeForce GTX 680 and Kepler architecture forward. NVIDIA has three key bullet points in which the GeForce GTX 680 improves not only performance, but also the gameplay experience. To us, and to gamers everywhere, improving the gameplay experience delivered is just as important as improving raw performance.

The first bullet point that NVIDIA makes clear is that the GeForce GTX 680 is "Faster" than previous generations. Under that category NVIDIA includes its SMX architecture and GPU Boost as the key technologies in making the GeForce GTX 680 faster. The second bullet point meant to express improvements in the gameplay experience is the "Smoother" aspect of the GeForce GTX 680. Under that category the key technologies listed are FXAA technology and Adaptive VSync. We've written about FXAA in the past and discussed its benefits to the gameplay experience. This article is going to focus on the Adaptive VSync technology. Finally, the third bullet point is "Richer." Under this category NVIDIA lists Single GPU 3D Vision Surround and PhysX as the key technologies to provide a richer experience.

This article today is going to focus on the "Smoother" aspect of NVIDIA's goal to improve the gameplay experience with the GeForce GTX 680. We will be looking at Adaptive VSync in the best way we can, to test it and to see if it really does improve the gameplay experience.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012/...nology_review/

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