Our testing methods
Since we've narrowed today's focus to the unique attributes offered by each of Nvidia's add-in board partners, we won't spend too much time testing 3D gaming performance. For a more in-depth look at how the performance of the GeForce 8800 GTS and GTX compare to each other and a wide range of competitors, check out our initial review of the cards.
All tests were run at least twice, and their results were averaged, using the following test systems.
| Processor | Core 2 Duo E6700 2.67GHz |
| System bus | 1066MHz (266MHz quad-pumped) |
| Motherboard | EVGA 122-CK-NF68 |
| Bios revision | P24 |
| North bridge | Nvidia nForce 680i SLI SPP |
| South bridge | Nvidia nForce 680i SLI MCP |
| Chipset drivers | ForceWare 9.53 |
| Memory size | 2GB (2 DIMMs) |
| Memory type | Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5 DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz |
| CAS latency (CL) | 4 |
| RAS to CAS delay (tRCD) | 4 |
| RAS precharge (tRP) | 4 |
| Cycle time (tRAS) | 12 |
| Audio | Integrated nForce 680i SLI MCP/ALC885 with Realtek HD 1.54 drivers |
| Graphics | BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E EVGA GeForce 8800 GTX ACS³ 768MB PCI-E Foxconn FV-N88SMBD2-ONOC 640MB PCI-E MSI NX8800GTX 768MB PCI-E OCZ GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E PNY XLR8 GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI-E XFX GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB PCI-E |
| Graphics driver | ForceWare 97.92 drivers |
| Hard drive | Western Digital Caviar RE2 400GB |
| OS | Windows XP Professional |
| OS updates | Service Pack 2 |
Thanks to Corsair for providing us with memory for our testing. 2GB of RAM seems to be the new standard for most folks, and Corsair hooked us up with some of its 1GB DIMMs for testing.
Also, all of our test systems were powered by OCZ GameXStream 700W power supply units. Thanks to OCZ for providing these units for our use in testing.
We used the following versions of our test applications:
- Futuremark 3DMark06 Build 1.02
- F.E.A.R. 1.08
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion 1.1
The test systems' Windows desktop was set at 1280x1024 in 32-bit color at an 85Hz screen refresh rate. Vertical refresh sync (vsync) was disabled for all tests.
All the tests and methods we employed are publicly available and reproducible. If you have questions about our methods, hit our forums to talk with us about them.
