Our testing methods
As ever, we did our best to deliver clean benchmark numbers. Tests were run at least twice, and the results were averaged. All graphics driver image quality settings were left at their defaults, with the exception that vertical refresh sync (vsync) was always disabled.
Our test system was configured like so:
| Processor | Pentium 4 3.4'E'GHz | Pentium 4 550 3.4GHz |
| Front-side bus | 800MHz (200MHz quad-pumped) | 800MHz (200MHz quad-pumped) |
| Motherboard | Abit IC7-G | Abit AA8 |
| BIOS revision | 2.4 | 1.4 |
| North bridge | 82875P MCH | 925X MCH |
| South bridge | ICH5R | ICH6R |
| Chipset drivers | INF Update 6.0.1.1002 | INF Update 6.0.1.1002 |
| Memory size | 1GB (2 DIMMs) | 1GB (2 DIMMs) |
| Memory type | OCZ PC3200 EL DDR SDRAM at 400MHz | OCZ PC2 5300 DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz |
| CAS latency | 2 | 3 |
| Cycle time | 5 | 10 |
| RAS to CAS delay | 2 | 3 |
| RAS precharge | 2 | 3 |
| Hard drive | Maxtor MaXLine III 250GB SATA 150 | |
| Audio | Integrated | |
| Graphics | GeForce 5900 XT 128MB AGP with ForceWare 61.77 drivers GeForce 6600 GT 128MB PCI-E with ForceWare 65.76 drivers GeForce 6800 128MB with ForceWare 65.76 drivers Radeon 9600 XT 128MB AGP with CATALYST 4.8 drivers Radeon X600 XT 128MB PCI-E with CATALYST 4.8 drivers Radeon 9800 XT 256MB AGP with CATALYST 4.8 drivers | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows XP Professional | |
| OS updates | Service Pack 2, DirectX 9.0c | |
The test systems' Windows desktops were set at 1152x864 in 32-bit color at an 85Hz screen refresh rate.
We used the following versions of our test applications:
- DOOM 3 with trhaze and trdelta1 demos.
- Counter-Strike Source beta with trdemo10 demo.
- Far Cry 1.2 with tr3-pier, tr2-cooler, and tr1-volcano demos.
- FutureMark 3DMark03 Build 340
- D3D RightMark beta 4
- Rome: Total War demo
- Need for Speed Underground demo
- FRAPS 2.2.5
The tests and methods we employed are generally publicly available and reproducible. If you have questions about our methods, hit our forums to talk with us about them.
