Test Settings
| Test Configuration | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo E86003.33GHz, FSB-1333, 6.0 MB Cache |
| Memory | Crucial Ballistix PC2-6,400 2x 2.0 GBOverclocked to DDR2-1,066 CAS 5-5-5-15 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500 GB7200 RPM, SATA 3.0 GB/s, 16 MB cache |
| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Network Controller (offline) |
| Power | Cooler Master RS850-EMBA850W, ATX12V v2.2 |
| Software and Drivers | |
| Operating System | Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 |
| Graphics Driver | ATI Catalyst 8.9 |
| Chipset Drivers | Intel INF 9.0.0.1009 |
| Onboard Device Drivers | Motherboard Driver DVD |
Intel’s Core 2 Duo E8600 uses the recent E0 stepping for increased efficiency and better overclocking capability. Although this mainstream processor might be a little above the market of today’s low-cost boards, the same stepping has started appearing in lower-cost models.
With so much value in overclocking, we also had to find each motherboard’s maximum achievable memory speed. Crucial’s spectacularly-overclockable Ballistix DDR2-800 4.0 GB dual-channel kit has shown us stable speeds beyond DDR2-1200.
Different builders have different ideas about which CPU cooler offers the best value, but consistency takes primary importance in hardware comparisons. We’ve had such good results with Swiftech’s three-fan radiator, the MCP-655b, and the Apogee GTX water block that these components are now mounted into a test bench.
| Benchmark Settings | |
|---|---|
| 3D-Games | |
| Crysis | Version: 1.2.1Test 1: Low Details, No AATest 2: Very High Details, 8x AADemo: CPU-Benchmark + Tom's Hardware Tool |
| Supreme CommanderForged Alliance | Version: 1.5.3599Test 1: Low Details, No AATest 2: Very High Details, 8x AADemo: WallaceTX_006_006Benchmark: Fraps 2.9.4 - Build 7037 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 | Version: 1.2Sound and DirectX10 Enabled (Full Screen)Test 1: Texture/Level Details: 1Test 2: Texture/Level Details: 5Demo: vCTF-Reflection_flyTime: 12/60 |
| World in Conflict | Version: 1.0.0.9Test 1: Very Low details (No AA, No AF)Test 2: Very High details (4x AA, 4x AF)Demo: Game-Benchmark |
| Audio Encoding | |
| iTunes | Version: 7.7.0.43Audio CD (Terminator II SE), 53 minDefault format AAC |
| Lame MP3 | Version: 3.98 Beta 3 (05-22-2007)Audio CD Terminator II SE, 53 minWave to MP3, 160 Kb/s |
| Video Encoding | |
| TMPEG 4.5 | Version: 4.5.1.254Import File: Terminator 2 SE DVD (5 Minutes)Resolution: 720x576 (PAL) 16:9 |
| DivX 6.8.3 | Encoding mode: Insane QualityEnhanced multithreadingEnabled using SSE4Quarter-pixel search |
| XviD 1.1.3 | Display encoding status = off |
| Mainconcept Reference 1.5.1Reference H.264 Plugin Pro 1.5.1 | MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264)MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2)Audio: MPEG2 (44.1 kHz, 2 Channel, 16 Bit, 224 kbps)Mode: PAL (25 FPS)Profile: Tom's Hardware Settings for Qct-Core |
| Productivity | |
| Autodesk 3D Studio Max 9 | Version: 9.0Rendering Dragon Image at 1920x1080 (HDTV) |
| Adobe Photoshop CS 3 | Version: 10.0x20070321Filtering from a 69 MB TIF-PhotoBenchmark: Tomshardware-Benchmark V1.0.0.4Filters: Crosshatch, Glass, Sumi-e,Accented Edges, Angled Strokes, Sprayed Strokes |
| Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus 8 | Version: 8.0.134Virus base: 270.4.5/1533Benchmark: Scan 334 MB Folder of compressed files |
| Winrar 3.80 | Version 3.70 BETA 8WinZIP Commandline Version 2.3Compression = BestDictionary = 4096 KBBenchmark: THG-Workload (334 MB) |
| Winzip 11 | Version 11.2Compression = BestBenchmark: THG-Workload (139 MB) |
| Synthetics | |
| 3DMark Vantage | Version: 1.023DMark, GPU and CPU scores |
| PCMark Vantage | Version: 1.00System, Memory, Hard Disk Drive benchmarksWindows Media Player 10.00.00.3646 |
| SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2 | Version 2008.5.14.24CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / MultiMediaMemory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark |
