During our tests we used the configuration listed below and the only variable component between each benchmarking session was the hard disk drive being tested.

Hardware Configuration (SATA-300)

• CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600
• Motherboard: ASUS P5K-E/WiFi-AP (1013 BIOS)
• Memory: 2 GB Corsair Dominator TWIN2X2048-8500C5D (DDR2-1066/PC2-8500 with 5-5-5-15 timings), configured at 1,066 MHz
• Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB
• Video resolution: 1440x900 75 Hz
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 932BW
• Power Supply: Topower PowerBird 900 W
• CPU Cooler: Thermaltake TMG i1
• Optical Drive: LG GSA-H54N

Hardware Configuration (SATA-600)

• CPU: Core i7-870
• Motherboard: ASUS P7P55D Premium (0915 BIOS)
• Memory: Two 1 GB Crucial CT12864BA1339 modules (DDR3-1333/PC3-10600, CL9, 1.5 V), configured at 1,333 MHz
• Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce 8800 GTS 320 MB
• Video resolution: 1440x900 75 Hz
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 932BW
• Power Supply: Topower PowerBird 900 W
• CPU Cooler: Intel stock
• Optical Drive: LG GSA-H54N

Software Configuration

• Windows XP Professional using NTFS file system
• Service Pack 3
• Intel Inf driver version: 9.0.0.1008
• NVIDIA video driver version: 175.19

Benchmarking Software

• HD Tach 3.0.4.0
• HD Tune 2.55

We adopted a 3% error margin. So, performance differences below 3% cannot be considered meaningful. In other words, products where the performance difference is below 3% must be considered as having similar performance.