Test Settings
| Test System Configuration |
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| CPU | Intel Core i7-870 (2.93 GHz, 8 MB Cache), O/C to 4 GHz (20 x 200 MHz), 1.388 V |
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| Motherboard | EVGA P55 SLI E655, P55 Express PCH, BIOS A39 (10/23/2009) |
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| RAM | Crucial CT2KIT25664BA1339 (4 GB), DDR3-1333 at DDR3-1600 CAS 8-8-8-24 |
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| Graphics | Diamond Radeon HD 5870 1 GB, 850 MHz GPU, GDDR5-4800 |
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| Hard Drive | Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS, 300 GB, 10 000 RPM, SATA 3Gb/s, 16 MB cache |
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| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
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| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
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| Power | Corsair CMPSU-850HX 850 W Modular, ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold |
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| Software |
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| OS | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 |
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| Graphics | ATI Catalyst 9.11 |
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| Chipset | Intel INF 9.1.1.1015 |
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We retained the configuration from January’s LGA 1156 cooler tests, so that readers could compare these new models to competing 2009 parts.
| Benchmark Configuration |
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| Prime95 v25.8 | 64-bit executable, Small FFTs, 8-threads |
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| RealTemp 3.00 | Highest core reading at full CPU load (60 minutes) Highest core reading at 30 minutes idle |
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| Acu-Rite thermal probe | Thermal probe on VRM chokes, touching MOSFET sink, Ambient temperature at 6" from motherboard front edge |
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| Galaxy CM-140 | dBA scale at 0.25 m, corrected to 1m values (-12 db) |
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