During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable was the CPU being tested and the motherboard, which had to be replaced to match the different CPU sockets.

Hardware Configuration

• Motherboard (Socket AM3): ASUS M4A89GTD/USB3 (1456 BIOS)
• Motherboard (Socket 1156): Intel DH55TC (0036 BIOS)
• CPU Cooler: Manufacturer stock
• Memory: Two 1 GB Crucial CT12864BA1339 modules (DDR3-1333/PC3-10600, CL9, 1.5 V), configured at 1,333 MHz
• Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB (WD1001FALS, SATA-300, 7,200 rpm, 32 MB buffer)
• Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 5670 IceQ
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 932BW
• Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream 400 W
• Optical Drive: Lite-On LH-20A1L

Operating System Configuration

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
• NTFS
• Video resolution: 1440x900 60 Hz

Driver Versions

• AMD chipset driver version: 8.700 (3.0.762.0)
• Intel video driver version: 15.17.7.2141
• Intel chipset driver version: 9.1.2.1007

Software Used

• PCMark Vantage Professional 1.0.2
• VirtualDub 1.9.5 + MPEG-2 Plugin 3.1 + DivX 6.8.5
• Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended + GamingHeaven Photoshop Benchmark V3
• Adobe After Effects CS4
• WinRAR 3.92
• Cinebench 11.5
• Call of Duty 4 – Patch 1.7
• Far Cry 2 – Patch 1.03

Error Margin

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.