10. DirectX8: Splintercell

Splinter Cell is a real resource hog. It employs both highly complex lighting and shadow effects, as well as pixel shader effects (v1.1). The framerate is influenced to equal parts by normal 3D calculations and the shadow calculations.

With slightly reduced detail level, this game is still playable at fluid frame rates on our MR9700 laptop at XGA resolution. Within limits, it can even be run at SXGA. Once again, the MR9700 makes a strong showing when compared to the desktop chips, and can even outstrip its "stablemate," the Radeon 9600.