Rydermark benchmark alleges Nvidia fudge

GAME developers on an upcoming boat racing benchmark, entitled Rydermark alleged that one of the two graphic vendors is fudging the truth with its per pixel precision. DirectX 9 requires you to use at least 24 bit or full 32-bit Shader precision.

Nvidia doesn't let developers use more than 16 bit and of course it is much faster than 32 bit precision. The only problem is that 16 bit precision is below the requirements of DirectX 9, so if you use less than 24 you are not DirectX 9 compliant.

If you want to do normal mapping, parallax mapping and water reflection/refraction, your Shader requires 32 bit precision.

Nvidia doesn't leave you any choice, it's claimed. You simply cannot turn 24 or 32 bit precision on, you are always locked at 16 bit. From a developer and artistic perspective this is really unacceptable but will buy you a few frames here and there.

Developers have also informed us that they have no way to stop Nvidia doing this. The only way is to make the community aware, and that can change some minds. There is more to come and we will try to get you screenshots to really see the difference. µ