During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable was the motherboard being tested.

Hardware Configuration

• BIOS version: 8.00.14 (March 9th, 2007)
• Motherboard revision: N/A
• Processor: Core 2 Duo E6700 (2.66 GHz, 1,066 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 memory cache).
• Cooler: Intel.
• Memory: 1 GB DDR2-1066/PC2-8500, two Corsair CM2X512-8500C5 modules (512 MB each) with 5-5-5-15 timings.
• Hard Disk Drive: Samsung HD080HJ (SATA-300, 7,200 rpm, 8 MB buffer).
• Video Cards: XFX GeForce 6200 TC 64 MB 64-bit and 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

• Intel Inf chipset driver version: 8.3.0.1013
• Intel video driver version: 14.29
• SiS video driver version: 3.81
• Nvidia video driver version: 93.71 (on GeForce 6200)
• Nvidia video driver version: 158.22 (on GeForce 8800 GTS)
• Audio driver version: Realtek R1.62

Software Used

• SYSmark2004 – Patch 2
• PCMark05 Professional 1.1.0
• 3DMark 2001 SE 3.3.0
• 3DMark03 3.6.0
• 3DMark05 1.2.0
• Quake III Arena 1.32
• Quake 4 – Patch 1.3

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.