During our benchmarking sessions we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable device was the CPU being tested.
 
Hardware Configuration

• Motherboard: MSI P35 Platinum (1.0 BIOS)
• Memory: 2 GB DDR2-1066/PC2-8500 with 5-5-5-15 timings, two Patriot PDC21G8500ELK modules (512 MB each) and two Corsair CM2X512-8500C5 modules (512 MB each).
• Hard Disk Drive: Samsung HD080HJ (SATA-300, 7,200 rpm, 8 MB buffer).
• Video Card: MSI factory-overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB (NX8800GTS-T2D320E-HD OC).
• Video resolution: 1024x768x32@85Hz.
• Power Supply: Antec Neo HE 550.

Software Configuration

• Windows XP Professional installed using NTFS
• Service Pack 2
• DirectX 9.0c

Driver Versions

• nVidia video driver version: 158.22
• Intel Inf chipset driver version: 8.3.0.1013
• Audio driver version: Realtek R1.62
• LAN driver version: Realtek 5.664.205.2007

Used Software

• SYSmark2004 – Patch 2
• PCMark05 Professional 1.2.0
• DriverHeaven Photoshop Benchmark V2
• Cinebench 9.5
• 3DMark06 Professional 1.1.0
• Far Cry – Patch 1.4 with HardwareOC Far Cry Benchmark 1.8 utility
• F.E.A.R. – Patch 1.08
• Quake 4 – Patch 1.4.2

We adopted a 3% error margin. Thus differences below 3% cannot be considered relevant. In other words, products with a performance difference below 3% should be considered as having similar performance.