How We Tested

During our benchmarking sessions we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable device was the processor being tested and the motherboard, as socket AM2 CPUs require a new motherboard.
 
Hardware Configuration

• Socket 939 Motherboard: MSI K8N Diamond Plus (BIOS 1.12, December 22nd, 2005).
• Socket AM2 Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI De Luxe
• Socket 775 Motherboard: Intel D975XBX
• Memory: Two Corsair CMX1024-3500LLPRO modules with 1 GB each, installed on DDR Dual Channel configuration (2-3-2-6 timings) for socket 939 CPUs.
• Memory: Four Corsair CM2X512-8500 modules with 512 MB each, installed on DDR2 Dual Channel configuration (using 4-4-4-12 timings) for socket AM2 and socket 775 CPUs.
• Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax 9 Plus (7,200 rpm, 40 GB, ATA-133).
• Video Card: XFX GeForce 7800 GTX.
• Video resolution: 1024x768x32@85Hz.
• Power Supply: OCZ ModStream 520 W.

Software Configuration

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

Driver Versions

• nVidia video driver version: 84.21
• nVidia nForce 4 SLI X16 driver version: 7.15
• Intel Inf driver version: 8.0.1002
• All motherboard drivers were installed

Used Software

• SYSmark2004 – Patch 2
• PCMark05 Professional 1.1.0
• Cinebench 9.5
• 3DMark06 Professional 1.0.2
• Quake 4 – Patch 1.2

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.

Total or partial reproduction of the contents of this site, as well as that of the texts available for downloading, be this in the electronic media, in print, or any other form of distribution, is expressly forbidden. Those who do not comply with these copyright laws will be indicted and punished according to the International Copyrights Law.

We do not take responsibility for material damage of any kind caused by the use of information contained in Hardware Secrets.