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 1156): MSI P55-GD85 (1.10 BIOS)
• Motherboard (Socket 1366): ASUS P6T Deluxe OC Palm Edition (1904 BIOS)
• Motherboard (Socket AM3): ASUS M4A79XTD EVO (0704 BIOS)
• CPU Cooler (Socket 1156): Intel stock
• CPU Cooler (Socket 1366): Intel DBX-B
• CPU Cooler (Socket AM3): AMD stock
• Memory (Socket 1366): Two Qimonda IMSH1GU03A1F1C-10F modules (DDR3-1066/PC3-8500)
• Memory (Sockets 1156 and AM3): 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: EVGA GeForce GTX 285 FTW
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 305T
• Power Supply: SilverStone Element ST75EF
• Optical Drive: Lite-On LH-20A1L

Operating System Configuration

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
• NTFS
• Video resolution: 2560x1600 @ 60 Hz

Driver Versions

• NVIDIA video driver version: 195.62
• Intel Inf chipset driver version: 9.1.1.1019

Software Used

• PCMark Vantage Professional 1.1.0
• 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
• Fallout 3 – Patch 1.7
• Crysis Warhead – Patch 1.1 + HOC Bench Crysis Warhead Benchmark Tool 1.1.1
• 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.