Test Settings
We carried forward several older benchmarks and hardware to make today’s benchmark results comparable to those of previous X58 motherboard roundups.
| Test System Configuration | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-920 (2.66 GHz, 8.0 MB Cache) |
| CPU Cooler | Swiftech Apogee GTZ Liquid Cooling |
| RAM | Kingston KHX16000D3ULT1K3/6GX (6.0 GB) DDR3-2000 at DDR3-1866 CAS 7-8-7-20 |
| Graphics | XFX GeForce GTX 285 XXX Edition 670MHz GPU, GDDR3-2500 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital WD5000AAKS, 500 GB 7,200 RPM, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16 MB cache |
| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
| Power | Cooler Master RS850-EMBA 850W, ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V |
| Software | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 |
| Graphics | NVidia Forceware 181.20 WHQL |
| Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.0.1007 |
Kingston’s DDR3-2000 is no longer the fastest memory we have, but it is the only model of which we have two triple-channel sets for testing six-DIMM configurations. Using it also allows us to compare today’s DRAM overclocking results to those of previously-tested models.
Zalman’s ZM-STF1 thermal grease was chosen for its quick set-in time, low thermal resistance, and mess-free application.
Excellent cooling is required to reach our Core i7-920’s overclocking limit. Swiftech’s Apogee GTZ moves heat quickly away from the CPU, via its MCP-655b high-volume pump and 3 x 120mm radiator.
XFX’s mildly-overclocked GTX 285 XXX Edition was our card of choice in the first X58 motherboard shootout, and retaining it allows readers to compare today’s benchmark results to those of former roundups.
| Benchmark Configuration | |
|---|---|
| 3D Games | |
| Call of Duty: World at War | Patch 1.1, FRAPS/saved game High Textures, No AA / No AF, vsync off Ultra Textures, 4x AA / Max AF, vsync off |
| Crysis | Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit executable, benchmark tool Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Very High Quality, 8x AA |
| Far Cry 2 | DirectX 10, Steam Version, in-game benchmark Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Ultra High Quality, 8x AA |
| World in Conflict | Patch 1009, DirectX 10, timedemo Test 1: High Details, No AA / No AF Test 2: Very High Details 4x AA / 16x AF |
| Audio/Video Encoding | |
| iTunes | Version: 7.7.0.43 Audio CD (Terminator II SE), 53 min Default format AAC |
| Lame MP3 | Version: 3.98 Beta 3 (05-22-2007) Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 53 min wave to MP3 |
| TMPGEnc | Version: 4.5.1.254 Import File: Terminator 2 SE DVD (5 Minutes) Resolution: 720x576 (PAL) 16:9 |
| DivX 6.8.3 | Encoding mode: Insane Quality Enhanced multithreading enabled using SSE4 Quarter-pixel search |
| Xvid 1.1.3 | Display encoding status = off |
| MainConcept Reference 1.5.1 | MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264), MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec, 28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2), Audio: MPEG2 (44.1 kHz, 2 Channel, 16-Bit, 224 kbp/s), Mode: PAL (25 FPS) |
| Productivity | |
| Autodesk 3ds Max 9 | Version: 9.0, Rendering Dragon Image at 1920x1080 (HDTV) |
| Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus 8 | Version: 8.0.134, Virus base: 270.4.5/1533, Benchmark: Scan 334 MB Folder of ZIP/RAR compressed files |
| WinRAR 3.80 | Version 3.70 BETA 8, WinZip Command line Version 2.3, Compression = Best, Dictionary = 4,096 KB, Benchmark: THG-Workload (334 MB) |
| WinZip 11 | Version 11.2, Compression = Best, Benchmark: THG-Workload (139 MB) |
| Sythetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
| 3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.0.1, GPU and CPU scores |
| PCMark Vantage | Version: 1.00, System, Memory, Hard Disk Drive benchmarks, Windows Media Player 10.00.00.3646 |
| SiSoft Sandra XII SP2 | Version 2008.5.14.24, CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / MultiMedia, Memory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark |
