**Star Citizen Alpha 2.0 Benchmarking: A Mixed Bag**
The latest alpha version of Star Citizen has arrived, and with it comes a slew of new benchmarks to test our systems' capabilities. In this article, we'll dive into the details of how different graphics cards perform in the game, including their strengths and weaknesses.
**1080p High Settings: The Sweet Spot**
At 1080p high settings, most GPUs are able to deliver smooth gameplay, with some exceptions. The GTX 980 Ti is a clear standout, easily exceeding 60 frames per second. However, even at very high settings, the card's performance begins to drop off significantly. The GTX 980, on the other hand, struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, often dipping below 40 FPS.
In contrast, newer cards like the R9 290x and R9 390X are able to handle high settings with ease, but only by a hair's breadth. The 380 X, unfortunately, is not as well-suited for play at very high settings, falling short of playable performance by a significant margin.
**1440p: A Different Story**
At 1440p, the game becomes much more demanding, and even top-of-the-line GPUs struggle to keep up. The GTX 980 Ti, while still performing admirably, can only manage around 23 FPS at medium settings in 4K. This leaves the game in a precarious state, with choppy performance and limited smoothness.
**GPU Hierarchy**
The performance hierarchy of the GPUs tested remains largely the same as it was previously. The GTX 970 sits above the R9 390X, which in turn is better than the R9 290X. The 380 X struggles to keep up with even lower-end cards at high settings, while the GTX 960 fares only slightly worse.
**Playability**
Given the current state of the game, playability at very high settings is limited. The game's developers have acknowledged that it's not a competitive title yet, and as such, players can get away with lower FPS. However, this means that even mid-range GPUs may struggle to maintain smooth performance in certain areas.
**Testing Environment**
Our testing was conducted on a variety of systems, including our own test rig and some community-built ones. We ran multiple tests across different maps and settings to ensure a comprehensive picture of each card's performance.
**Comparison to Other Games**
While Star Citizen is not like other competitive FPS games, it still requires a decent GPU to run smoothly. For context, we've also tested the game at lower resolutions and with more aggressive graphics settings, which are necessary for truly enjoying the experience.
**Conclusion**
Star Citizen Alpha 2.0 is an exciting time for gamers, but it's also a reminder that the game is not yet polished. With its current state, players can expect to see choppy performance in certain areas and limited smoothness at very high settings. However, as the developers continue to iterate and improve the game, we'll likely see improvements in performance and overall playability.
**Patreon Support**
We'd like to thank our patrons for their support. Your contributions help us upgrade our equipment, lights, microphones, and more. If you're interested in supporting our content, please check out our Patreon page for details on how you can contribute.
**What's Next?**
As always, we'll continue to produce high-quality content for our audience. We have a busy schedule ahead of us, with upcoming benchmarks, reviews, and guides. Stay tuned for more updates, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for the latest Star Citizen news and analysis.