Crysis Warhead was reportedly optimized extensively to run on a larger range of computers with better performance than the original Crysis. The question is, how much better does it actually run, if at all?
Fortunately, TechSpot has run some tests so you don't have to. All of their benchmarks were done using DirectX 10 renderpaths.
Personally, running in DirectX 10 mode absolutely killed my framerate in Warhead. I, too, did not see any significant increase compared to Crysis even with running at a lower than native resolution with most graphical settings on medium, minimum, or disabled completely.
However, once I opted to run in DirectX 9 mode, the optimizations were immediately apparent. The game simply ran a lot more smoothly at a higher average framerate. There was no change in visual quality and in some cases, the visuals were better as I was able to run with slightly higher settings and at my native resolution.
Fortunately, TechSpot has run some tests so you don't have to. All of their benchmarks were done using DirectX 10 renderpaths.
Realistically we do not believe the performance of Crysis Warhead is any better than the original, and we failed to see any substantial optimizations. Ideally gamers are going to require a current generation high-end graphics card to play this game in all its glory. More to the point, something like a GeForce GTX 280 is required, and at over $400, good luck building a $600 system that can play Crysis Warhead.They did see significant drops in framerate in levels featuring the alien ice, similar to the drops experienced in the first title. An underground portion of the game actually saw an increase in framerate.
Personally, running in DirectX 10 mode absolutely killed my framerate in Warhead. I, too, did not see any significant increase compared to Crysis even with running at a lower than native resolution with most graphical settings on medium, minimum, or disabled completely.
However, once I opted to run in DirectX 9 mode, the optimizations were immediately apparent. The game simply ran a lot more smoothly at a higher average framerate. There was no change in visual quality and in some cases, the visuals were better as I was able to run with slightly higher settings and at my native resolution.