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FIFA 18 Notebook and Desktop Benchmarks

Bumpy start. You might think that due to the routine, EA could not do too much wrong in the yearly FIFA update. But, you would be mistaken since the release of version 18 is creating several negative headlines. We evaluate the (technical) situation with several notebooks and desktop PCs.
FIFA 18

Technology

For the original German review, see here.

As we reported on the day of its official release, a multitude of buyers are currently having trouble with the soccer simulation. While Amazon customers may receive their order late due to a strike, other users complain about downloads that are not working. Even though we were spared these problems during downloading and the installation of FIFA 18 (it needs about 34 GB on the hard drive), there were various irregularities during the test.

It began with starting the game, which lead to most headaches and head shaking. Even though FIFA 18 ran flawlessly on the first test device with a GeForce GTX 980, after changing to a GeForce GTX 1060, suddenly the game did not want to start anymore at all (only the Launcher worked). The same occurred in a large part of our remaining systems with a Pascal GPU.

FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18

After some tips from various forums did not bring any improvements, in order to continue testing, we reinstalled Origin several times. And lo and behold, in the second or third try, most of the times FIFA 18 worked again. However, the error message regarding Microsoft's .NET framework, which would pop up in some places and which was also present in older FIFA titles, could not be remedied, since the developer still has not fixed this.

The fact that you can hardly find any results in the chart below (as of 9/30/2017), has to do with the restrictive installation policy by Origin and EA, which only allows a certain amount of new systems per day, as was the case in the past with other games. Even changing the graphics card uses one activation. Due to this fact, it will still take a while until we will have been able to check all of our notebooks and desktop PCs. Since the system requirements have hardly changed compared to the predecessor, FIFA 17 is a good indicator for the expected performance.

FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18

Anyone who has hoped for a similarly great jump in the graphics capabilities as in the predecessor (EA changed to the Frostbite engine in 2016) might be rather disappointed. Besides the sometimes prettier figures and smaller improvements (lighting, audience crowds, animations etc.), hardly anything has changed visually. Overall, FIFA 18 achieves a good but not exciting graphics level. Too many details get lost in the normal camera perspective for our tastes. The technical framework is only noticeably effective in close-ups or replays.

Low settings
Low settings
Medium settings
Medium settings
High settings
High settings
Ultra settings
Ultra settings
4K settings
4K settings

The graphics menu, which can be opened outside the game and is not very comprehensive, follows the predecessor to a large extent. Besides the resolution and the screen mode, you can only change the overall quality (4 steps) and the smoothing of the edges. Here EA uses MSAA again, which does a decent job. The remaining menu items are concerned with the frame rate and the DirectX-mode, which is new.

FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18

While the optional frame lock was completely turned off for the tests, we set DirectX on version 11.0. Although in theory, DirectX 12 brings more performance due to the lower overhead, in all the games released until now, DX12 tended towards a lower performance, which is also the case for FIFA 18 in our experience. Anyone who does not feel like tuning the graphics settings, or does not know how, can also activate the Auto mode in most settings.

FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18
FIFA 18

Benchmark

To compare the performance with FIFA 17, we use our benchmark sequence with the same game options as in the previous year. It is based on a match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the "Allianz Arena" under a clear sky in summer at 2pm in the afternoon. We record 7 minutes (game minutes, not real-time) of the first halftime with the Fraps tool.

Since the frame rates during interruptions such as fouls and corner kicks are limited to 30 FPS, independent of the frame lock settings, we avoid such scenes and repeat the benchmark if necessary, so that there are no strange values in the minimum FPS. You can follow the whole procedure in the video below.



Results

In the following days and weeks, the benchmark chart below will be continually expanded with new graphics chips. In the beginning, we mainly have Nvidia GPUs from the high-end range. Later we will add weaker GeForce models and graphics cards by AMD and Intel. So stay tuned!

FIFA 18
    3840x2160 Ultra Preset     1920x1080 Ultra Preset AA:4xMS     1920x1080 High Preset AA:2xMS     1920x1080 Medium Preset     1366x768 Medium Preset     1280x720 Low Preset
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Desktop), 6700K
Desktop PC
210 (176min) fps ∼62%
315 (290min) fps ∼75%
319 (298min) fps ∼75%
351 (316min) fps ∼76%
356 (324min) fps ∼100%
364 (339min) fps ∼89%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Desktop), 6700K
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
171 (142min) fps ∼50%
298 (264min) fps ∼71%
312 (284min) fps ∼73%
344 (309min) fps ∼75%
346 (312min) fps ∼97%
356 (326min) fps ∼87%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile, 6820HK
Asus G752VS
155 (128min) fps ∼45%
272 (246min) fps ∼65%
278 (238min) fps ∼65%
292 (254min) fps ∼63%
318 (289min) fps ∼89%
330 (299min) fps ∼81%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Desktop), 6700K
Desktop PC
117 (92min) fps ∼34%
254 (203min) fps ∼61%
291 (273min) fps ∼68%
333 (304min) fps ∼72%
352 (312min) fps ∼99%
359 (327min) fps ∼88%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980, 6700K
Desktop PC
113 (94min) fps ∼33%
251 (202min) fps ∼60%
285 (259min) fps ∼67%
329 (283min) fps ∼71%
347 (312min) fps ∼97%
361 (321min) fps ∼88%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile, 6820HK
MSI GT62VR
104 (80min) fps ∼30%
219 (187min) fps ∼52%
248 (221min) fps ∼58%
272 (247min) fps ∼59%
286 (248min) fps ∼80%
288 (255min) fps ∼71%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile, i7-7700HQ
MSI GE72 7RE-046
62.3 (49min) fps ∼18%
149 (111min) fps ∼36%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile, i7-7700HQ
MSI GL62M 7RD-077
55.6 (45min) fps ∼16%
132 (103min) fps ∼32%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M, 6700HQ
MSI GE72 965M Ti
51.6 (44min) fps ∼15%
126 (106min) fps ∼30%
NVIDIA GeForce MX150, i7-7700HQ
MSI PL62 MX150 7700HQ
31.1 (27min) fps ∼9%
71.4 (61min) fps ∼17%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M, 6700HQ
MSI PE60 2QD
76.1 (60min) fps ∼18%
93 (67min) fps ∼22%
121 (99min) fps ∼26%
191 (175min) fps ∼47%
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, 6700HQ
MSI CX72 6QD
36.6 (29min) fps ∼9%
43.6 (32min) fps ∼10%
62.1 (50min) fps ∼13%
130 (104min) fps ∼32%
NVIDIA GeForce 940M, 5700HQ
MSI GP62 2QD
37.2 (30min) fps ∼9%
43.9 (33min) fps ∼10%
NVIDIA GeForce 920M, 2970M
MSI CX61 2QC 2970M MS-16GD

Overview

Show Restrictions
PosModel< PrevNext >FIFA 18
 FIFA 18 (2017)
low
1280x720
Low Preset
med.
1920x1080
Medium Preset
high
1920x1080
High Preset
2xMSAA
ultra
1920x1080
Ultra Preset
4xMSAA
4K
3840x2160
Ultra Preset
NVIDIA Titan RTX
361
356
327
325
302
NVIDIA Titan X Pascal
346.4
355.1
310.4
303.2
249.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 (Desktop)
364
351
319
315
210
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Mobile
333n4
324.5n4
223.5n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (Desktop)
356
344
312
298
171
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Max-Q
284
279
253
240
166
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Mobile
330
292
326n5
319n5
143n2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Max-Q
222n3
214n3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980
361
329
285
251
113
AMD Radeon RX 590 (Desktop)
370.5
378.8
337.7
322.3
157.5
AMD Radeon RX 580 (Desktop)
347.8
344
318.7
313.1
158.2
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (Desktop)
359
333
291
254
117
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Mobile
288
272
232.5n4
213n5
104
AMD Radeon RX 580 (Laptop)
242.9
242.2
218.1
215.4
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q
290.6
277.9
252.3
245.7
130
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M
260
215
192
186
103
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile
293
232.4
196.8n2
156.8n3
62.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M
228
205
185
182
73
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Mobile
132
55.6
PosModel< PrevNext >FIFA 18
low med. high ultra 4K
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Max-Q
254.7
153.2
127.5
127
55.5
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M
126
51.6
AMD Radeon RX 560 (Laptop)
154.3
144.1
125.1
124.3
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
154
114
107
104
42.3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 (Desktop)
241.2
101.6
94.7
76.3
31.3
NVIDIA GeForce MX150
135.6n3
91.7n2
77.35n4
71.4n5
31.1
AMD Radeon RX 540
115.8
54.8
40.2
40
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M
191
121
93
76.1
NVIDIA GeForce MX130
54.1
43.6
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
122.6n2
66.2n2
51.05n2
46.45n2
AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 (Ryzen 2000/3000)
136.55n2
73.1n2
60.3n2
55.85n2
NVIDIA GeForce 940M
43.9
37.2
NVIDIA GeForce 930MX
124
65.2
52
49.9
AMD Radeon R9 M375
108.5
79.7
61.2
58.2
NVIDIA GeForce 930M
94.7
AMD Radeon 530
95.3
51.6
39.6
NVIDIA GeForce MX110
106.5n2
59.3n2
49.55n2
45.5n2
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
69.5
38.8
NVIDIA GeForce 920MX
110.4
63.8
54.2
50
AMD Radeon 520
102.4
44
35.7
32.6
PosModel< PrevNext >FIFA 18
low med. high ultra 4K
Intel UHD Graphics 630
74.65n2
41.7n2
32.3n2
26.95n2
Intel HD Graphics 630
69
37.7
Intel HD Graphics 530
65.5
29.5
21.7
19.2
Intel UHD Graphics 620
58.4n5
31.8n5
27.4n5
24.7n5
Intel HD Graphics 620
60.95n2
32.75n2
28.3
25.8
Intel HD Graphics 5600
71
AMD Radeon R5 M255
94.7
51.9
37
AMD Radeon RX Vega 3
73.25n2
28.7n2
27.4
NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M
57.6
32.1
AMD Radeon R5 (Stoney Ridge)
42.6
19.4
Intel HD Graphics 4600
59.2
30.4
Intel HD Graphics 5500
56.1
Intel HD Graphics 615
45.2
Intel HD Graphics 610
35.1
Intel HD Graphics 4400
38.9
(-) * 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.

Test Systems

Device Graphics Card Processor RAM Operating System
Desktop-PC I MSI GeForce GTX 1080 (8 GB GDDR5X)
MSI GeForce GTX 1070 (8 GB GDDR5)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB GDDR5)
Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 (4 GB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-6700K 2 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
Desktop-PC II Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti (11 GB GDDR5X)
Asus GeForce GTX 980 Ti (6 GB GDDR5)
XFX Radeon R9 Fury (4 GB HBM)
Sapphire Radeon R9 290X (4 GB GDDR5)
Sapphire Radeon R9 280X (3 GB GDDR5)
MSI Radeon R7 370 (2 GB GDDR5)
Intel Core i7-4790K 2 x 4 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus G752VS Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6820HK 4 x 16 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GT62VR Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6820HK 4 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GE72 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus GL753VD Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (4 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GL62 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GE72 Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6700HQ 1 x 8 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI PE60 Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M (2 GB GDDR5) Intel Core i7-6700HQ 2 x 4 GB DDR4 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI GP62 Nvidia GeForce 940M (2 GB DDR3) Intel Core i7-5700HQ 1 x 8 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
MSI CX61 Nvidia GeForce 920M (2 GB DDR3) Intel Celeron 2970M 1 x 8 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
Asus N551ZU AMD Radeon R9 M280X (4 GB GDDR5) AMD FX-7600P 2 x 4 GB DDR3 Windows 10 64 Bit
4K Monitor Nvidia Driver AMD Driver
2 x Asus PB287Q, Philips 328P6VJEB ForceWare 385.69 Crimson 17.9.3
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Florian Glaser, 2017-10- 3 (Update: 2017-10- 4)