Our testing methods
As ever, we did our best to deliver clean benchmark numbers. Tests were run at least three times, and the results were averaged.
Our test systems were configured like so:
| Processor | Core 2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz | Core 2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz |
| System bus | 1066MHz (266MHz quad-pumped) | 1066MHz (266MHz quad-pumped) |
| Motherboard | Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe | Intel D975XBX |
| BIOS revision | 0204 | BX97510J.86A.1073.2006.0427.1210 |
| North bridge | nForce4 SLI X16 Intel Edition | 975X MCH |
| South bridge | nForce4 MCP | ICH7R |
| Chipset drivers | ForceWare 6.86 | INF Update 7.2.2.1007 Intel Matrix Storage Manager 5.5.0.1035 |
| Memory size | 2GB (2 DIMMs) | 2GB (2 DIMMs) |
| Memory type | Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5 DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz | Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5 DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz |
| CAS latency (CL) | 4 | 4 |
| RAS to CAS delay (tRCD) | 4 | 4 |
| RAS precharge (tRP) | 4 | 4 |
| Cycle time (tRAS) | 15 | 15 |
| Hard drive | Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA 150 | Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA 150 |
| Audio | Integrated nForce4/ALC850 with Realtek 5.10.0.6150 drivers | Integrated ICH7R/STAC9221D5 with SigmaTel 5.10.5143.0 drivers |
| Graphics | Radeon X1900 XT 256MB PCI-E with Catalyst 8.282-060802a-03584E-ATI drivers | Radeon X1950 XTX 512MB PCI-E + Radeon X1950 CrossFire with Catalyst 8.282-060802a-03584E-ATI drivers |
| Radeon X1900 XTX 512MB PCI-E with Catalyst 8.282-060802a-03584E-ATI drivers | ||
| Radeon X1950 XTX 512MB PCI-E with Catalyst 8.282-060802a-03584E-ATI drivers | ||
| GeForce 7900 GT 256MB PCI-E with ForceWare 91.31 drivers | ||
| GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB PCI-E with ForceWare 91.31 drivers | ||
| Dual GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB PCI-E with ForceWare 91.31 drivers | ||
| GeForce 7950 GX2 1GB PCI-E with ForceWare 91.31 drivers | ||
| OS | Windows XP Professional (32-bit) | |
| OS updates | Service Pack 2, DirectX 9.0c update (August 2006) | |
Thanks to Corsair for providing us with memory for our testing. Their quality, service, and support are easily superior to no-name DIMMs.
Our test systems were powered by OCZ GameXStream 700W power supply units. Thanks to OCZ for providing these units for our use in testing.
Unless otherwise specified, image quality settings for the graphics cards were left at the control panel defaults.
The test systems' Windows desktops were set at 1280x960 in 32-bit color at an 85Hz screen refresh rate. Vertical refresh sync (vsync) was disabled for all tests.
We used the following versions of our test applications:
- Quake 4 1.3 with trdm1 netdemo
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 1.1
- Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 1.21
- F.E.A.R. 1.07
- Half-Life 2: Episode One with trdem1 demo
- FutureMark 3DMark06 Build 1.02
- FRAPS 2.7.2
The tests and methods we employ are generally publicly available and reproducible. If you have questions about our methods, hit our forums to talk with us about them.
