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FIFA 13 Benchmarked

Time for King Football. Every year Electronic Arts knits a fresh layer of the immensely popular FIFA series. The current 13th installment is largely based on the strengths of its predecessors. In this article we will specifically highlight the technology and hardware requirements.

For years there has been a fierce competition among the football simulators FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer, PES for short. Both series have their unique features and both series have their sworn fanbase. EA's biggest asset is of course the fat license package. Dozens of leagues are available. Hundreds of teams are represented with real player names and jerseys. Although PES 13 is, to our liking, a bit more realistic, FIFA 13 scores points with its excellent gameplay.

Technology

At first glance the technology is very similar to the 12-month old brother. As with the predecessor, the PC platform possibilities are not even close to being fully utilized. The reasons lay not only with the low hardware requirements, but also with the weak 2D audience, which resembles a pixel wallpaper upon close inspection. Overall, the texture quality could have been significantly better in many places. Only the players look very detailed and authentic.

There is little to complain about the atmosphere. The professional commentators and emotional chants and cheers give FIFA 13 a proper football mood. Another highlight is the player animations: tackling, slide tackling, and other movements look very credible.

Also praiseworthy: FIFA 13 can also be played easily with a mouse and keyboard. The excessive menu navigation did annoy us a bit (a simplification is needed). But good handling and atmosphere or not: Electronic Arts should throw the dusty engine overboard. With the new console generation (2013/2014), this problem should be solved.

Beautiful view of the stadium backdrop.
Beautiful view of the stadium backdrop.
FIFA is the best with the licenses.
FIFA is the best with the licenses.
Before the kick-off there are nice camera angles.
Before the kick-off there are nice camera angles.

Benchmark

As already mentioned, we are using the FIFA 13 demo version. This of course has the popular note »not representative of the quality of the final product«. Since there were no differences between the demo and final product of FIFA 12, we decided to use the free trial version. Should the performance change with the final version, this article will be updated.

As a basis for the benchmark we use a simple »Kick Off« game, which we recorded with Fraps for about 60 seconds (15 minutes in-game time). In order to keep the refresh rate at a fairly constant level, we avoided goals and fouls. The reason: The performance drops considerably during replays. Our YouTube video provides a glimpse into the test sequence.

Settings

The graphics menu is largely the same as the predecessor, but has been expanded with a couple of options. Thus the user can not only change the vertical synchronization (prevents ugly image tearing), but also the transparent Windows design called Aero, which has little impact on performance.

Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra

In addition, the refresh rate can be locked at 30 or 60 fps (reduces noise levels in some notebooks since the video cards works less). The resolution options, as well as the hardware based MSAA anti-aliasing (reduces unattractive jagged edges), are identical to the predecessor.

Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra

The render quality now ranges from Very Low to High (formerly Low to High). Given the lower illumination and reduced shadows, one should avoid the lower settings (see pictures). On the other hand, FIFA 13 looks properly good at medium settings. Even at the highest settings the graphics could not really amaze us.

Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Low (1.024 x 768)
Low
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra
High (1.366 x 768, 2x MSAA)
High
Medium (1.366 x 768)
Medium
Ultra (1.920 x 1.080, 4x MSAA)
Ultra

Results

FIFA 13 proved to be even less demanding than the recently benchmarked Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Even low-end models, such as the Intel Ivy Bridge integrated HD Graphics 4000, can play the game decently at 1366 x 768 pixels and high details (average 52 fps, 2x anti-aliasing). For 1920 x 1080 pixels and high details even a middle-class GeForce GT 630M suffices (66 fps with 4x MSAA).

Since the refresh rate often drops during replays, some reserves are not a bad idea (at least 40 fps in our benchmark). The last FIFA game had very similar CPU and GPU requirements.

Benchmark-Tabelle FIFA 13

Verdict

With the FIFA 13, EA delivers a routine development of the series. Although some details are improved, you should not expect any major changes. Still, FIFA 13 is a highly successful football simulator that is on par with the major competitors. The main criticism is the second-rate technology.

Some players look very much like the real ones.
Some players look very much like the real ones.
All the major teams are represented.
All the major teams are represented.
The exercise sequences remind us of the fun events in Virtua Tennis.
The exercise sequences remind us of the fun events in Virtua Tennis.

Test Systems

Most of the benchmarks were ran on devices provided by Schenker (mysn.de): 

  • XMG P502 (Core i7-3610QM, GeForce GTX 660M, GTX 670M, GTX 675M, GTX 680M & Radeon HD 7970M, 8 GB RAM)
  • XMG A502 (Core i5-3360M, GeForce GT 650M & HD Graphics 4000, 8 GB RAM)
  • Xesia M501 (Core i7-2630QM, GeForce GT 630M & HD Graphics 3000, 8 GB RAM) 

The GPU driver versions used were: 306.23 (Nvidia), 8.951.6.0 (AMD) and 8.15.10.2761 (Intel).

Towards the end of the month we will also benchmark Borderlands 2 and F1 2012.

From left to right: Schenker XMG A502, Xesia M501 & XMG P502
From left to right: Schenker XMG A502, Xesia M501 & XMG P502

Overview

Show Restrictions
PosModel< PrevNext >Fifa 13
 Fifa 13 (2012)
low
1024x768
Low
med.
1366x768
Medium
high
1366x768
High
2xMSAA
ultra
1920x1080
High
4xMSAA
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M SLI
400.3
420.8
390.3
AMD Radeon HD 8970M Crossfire
362.3
266.2
213
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M SLI
455.5
419.9
403.2
374
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680
495
400
425
400
AMD Radeon HD 7970
455.9
366
362.1
359.9
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti
491.2
382
361.3
322.7
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M
472.2
380.1
358.8
313.45n2
AMD Radeon HD 8970M
456.4
316.3
308.9
205.2n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M SLI
650
465.5
359.2
305.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M
387.6
324.5
297.3
256.9
AMD Radeon HD 7970M
322.7
257.9
250.9
173n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX SLI
361.2
331.6
315.4
207.2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M
461.7
357.2
350.4
291.9
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX
326.3
311.7
248
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M SLI
332.3
287.3
196.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 765M
464
352n2
306.3n2
232.4n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M
394.1
313.5
296.9
244.2
AMD Radeon HD 7770
438.3
348.8
306.1
204.3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M SLI
274.2
225.1
208.4
194.4
PosModel< PrevNext >Fifa 13
low med. high ultra
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670MX
472.1
339.9
296.3
180.6
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
282
292
202
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M
398.4
310.1
291.6
189.9
AMD Radeon HD 8870M
255.05n2
188.95n2
167.9n2
132.95n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
391.1
267
248.1
155.7
AMD Radeon HD 8790M
367
209
180
120
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M
408.6
278.5
219.9
146.4
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
261.7
195.8
182.9
132.8
NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M
380.2
208
185.3
138.4
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200
317
197.6
149.6
80.3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
298n4
181.65n4
138.75n4
91.9n3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 735M
137.9
81.4
AMD Radeon HD 8770M
305.5
185.7
164.6
92.5
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730M
229.35n2
182.9n2
164.6n2
110.85n2
NVIDIA GeForce GT 645M
311.3
206.6
188.7
120.7
AMD Radeon HD 8750M
258.6
157.75n2
135.6n2
84.5
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M
223.1n3
176n3
160n3
121.1n3
AMD Radeon HD 8670D
219
145
126
93
AMD Radeon HD 8730M
225
154
128
NVIDIA GeForce GT 635M
237.95n2
146.7n2
124.55n2
72.05n2
PosModel< PrevNext >Fifa 13
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 8650G + HD 8670M Dual Graphics
118.8
101.2
AMD Radeon HD 8550G + HD 8670M Dual Graphics
139.3
AMD Radeon HD 7640G + HD 7670M Dual Graphics
131.9n2
104.45n2
101.2n2
68n2
AMD Radeon HD 6620G + HD 7670M Dual Graphics
120.5
90.5
88.9
54.2
AMD Radeon HD 7670M
246n6
148.3n6
113.15n6
61.85n4
NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
245n5
144n5
116.9n5
70n3
AMD Radeon HD 7560D
229
148
131
77
NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
191
131.1
101.6
58.1
AMD Radeon HD 8450G + Radeon HD 8570M Dual Graphics
43.4
32.2
28.9
AMD Radeon HD 8570M
143.05n2
93.1n2
80.05n2
44.05n2
AMD Radeon HD 8550M
58.7
43.5
41.5
Intel Iris Graphics 5100
173.1
109.9
84.7
49.5
NVIDIA GeForce 710M
195
142
127
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
140
97
94
62
AMD Radeon HD 7650M
188.8
126.5
96.9
57.6
AMD Radeon HD 7570M
218.5n2
134
104
50n2
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
174.2
118.3
96.6
55.9
NVIDIA GeForce GT 620M
161.5n4
137.5n5
102n5
63.35n2
AMD Radeon HD 7640G + HD 7610M Dual Graphics
132.25n2
93.9n2
83.8n2
48.6
AMD Radeon HD 7610M
224
113
87
50
PosModel< PrevNext >Fifa 13
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 7620G
50
41
40
37
AMD Radeon HD 8470D
90
50
Intel HD Graphics 4400
127n3
79.5n4
62.5n4
38n3
AMD Radeon HD 7550M
180
108.3
81.2
AMD Radeon HD 7600G
66
45
30.5
AMD Radeon HD 7480D
128
86
73
45
Intel HD Graphics 4000
96n29
58n29
34.41n30
23.5n12
Intel HD Graphics 4200
104.8
55.6
49.2
31.7
AMD Radeon HD 6450 GDDR5
72
40
AMD Radeon HD 8450G
38.9
AMD Radeon HD 7470M
16.6
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX
146
97
52
AMD Radeon HD 7520G
69.15n2
52.4n2
45.85n2
43.2
AMD Radeon HD 8330
84.5n2
44n2
33.5n2
AMD Radeon HD 7450M
81
60
56
AMD Radeon HD 7420G
82
54
34
AMD Radeon HD 7400G
41
30
22
AMD Radeon HD 8240
36.6
27.1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
78.85n14
47.5n14
22.35n14
16.6n2
NVIDIA GeForce G210M
92
57
47
26
PosModel< PrevNext >Fifa 13
low med. high ultra
AMD Radeon HD 8210
8
Intel HD Graphics 2500
99n3
51.5n4
29.6n4
14.5
Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge)
60.85n4
37.75n4
21.95n4
13
Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge)
67.25n10
41.2n9
19.1n7
12.15n2
AMD Radeon HD 7340
26.4n4
25.9n2
AMD Radeon HD 7310
6.7
AMD Radeon HD 7290
4.6
ATI Radeon HD 3200
16
13
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD
28
16
15
PowerVR SGX545
9.25n4
(-) * Smaller values are better. / n123 Number of benchmarks for this median value / * Approximate position

 

Legend
5Stutters – This game is very likely to stutter and have poor frame rates. Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, average frame rates are expected to fall below 25fps
May Stutter – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, stutters and poor frame rates are expected.
30Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 25fps
40Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 35fps
60Fluent – Based on all known benchmarks using the specified graphical settings, this game should run at or above 58fps
May Run Fluently – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game. Based on interpolated information from surrounding graphics cards of similar performance levels, fluent frame rates are expected.
?Uncertain – This graphics card experienced unexpected performance issues during testing for this game. A slower card may be able to achieve better and more consistent frame rates than this particular GPU running the same benchmark scene.
Uncertain – This graphics card has not been explicitly tested on this game and no reliable interpolation can be made based on the performances of surrounding cards of the same class or family.
The value in the fields displays the average frame rate of all values in the database. Move your cursor over the value to see individual results.
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Florian Glaser, 2012-09-20 (Update: 2021-05-18)