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 | XFX nForce 680i SLI | Asus P5W DH Deluxe |
| BIOS revision | P26 | 1901 |
| North bridge | nForce 680i SLI SPP | 975X MCH |
| South bridge | nForce 680i SLI MCP | ICH7R |
| Chipset drivers | ForceWare 15.00 | INF update 8.1.1.1010 Matrix Storage Manager 6.21 |
| Memory size | 4GB (4 DIMMs) | 4GB (4 DIMMs) |
| Memory type | 2 x Corsair TWIN2X20488500C5D DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz | 2 x Corsair TWIN2X20488500C5D DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz |
| CAS latency (CL) | 4 | 4 |
| RAS to CAS delay (tRCD) | 4 | 4 |
| RAS precharge (tRP) | 4 | 4 |
| Cycle time (tRAS) | 18 | 18 |
| Command rate | 2T | 2T |
| Hard drive | Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA 150 | Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB SATA 150 |
| Audio | Integrated nForce 680i SLI/ALC850 with Microsoft drivers | Integrated ICH7R/ALC882M with Microsoft drivers |
| Graphics | GeForce 8800 Ultra 768MB PCIe with ForceWare 158.18 drivers | Radeon X1950 XTX512MB PCIe + Radeon X1950 CrossFire with Catalyst 7.4 drivers |
| GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCIe with ForceWare 158.18 drivers | ||
| Dual BFG GeForce 8800 GTS SLI 640MB PCIe with ForceWare 158.18 drivers | ||
| OS | Windows Vista Ultimate x86 Edition | Windows Vista Ultimate x86 Edition |
| OS updates | - | - |
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 1600x1200 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:
- Rainbow Six: Vegas 1.04
- Battlefield 2142 1.2
- Supreme Commander 3223
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 1.2
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl 1.0001
- Half-Life 2: Episode One with trdem2 demo
- FutureMark 3DMark06 Build 1.1.0
- FRAPS 2.8.2
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.
