We always strive to setup a series of tests with the parts being used for both platforms being as close to exact as possible, and whenever feasible we adhere to that methodology as our rule of thumb. We are still sticking with testing under XP SP1 in lieu of SP2, as there are still strange problems being seen and reported when updating an up and existing system to Windows SP2. In a few months as all the bugs are ironed out we will start updating to SP2 in our tests. For testing purposes, SP2 really offers no features that would enhance or degrade performance, so upgrading to it offers no solid reasoning anyways. We set the hard drive parameters to a RAID 0 array for optimal performance.
We let the SPD functions of the motherboards determine the memory timings and Crucial provided the Ballistix memory used in this round of tests. All tests were run at a resolution of 1024X768 with a refresh rate of 75Hrtz with the vertical sync turned off. All tests were run three times and averaged for the final score. All drives are formatted with a fresh install of Windows prior to testing. Auto-updating and system restore were disabled as to not cause problems with the testing. We always use the latest driver available for our VGA cards, whether it is NVIDIA or ATI; we download what is the available to the public as the most current driver. The VGA card settings were left at the default state, which is how most users will run their cards and the games were run at their lowest settings as to test CPU power over VGA power. On-board sound was used in all tests as that produces the most CPU strain and is the most commonly used by the general user. CPU performance will be better in games and other audio intensive programs if you use a Creative Labs audio solution as it utilizes almost no CPU power.
Intel Test System
- Motherboard: Intel 925XE 1066Mhz
- CPUs: Intel Model# 650 3.46GHz EE@1066/ Model# 560 3.6GHz Prescott@800
- Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2X 512MB 533MHz DDR2 CAS 4.0
- Hard Drives: Dual 10,000 RPM WD 36GB Raptors in a RAID 0 Array
- Video: PCI-X NVIDIA GeForce 6800GT
- Power: E-power 600W 24/20-Pin ATX
AMD Test System
- Motherboard: NF4 Reference Board
- CPUs: AMD Athlon64 Model # FX55 2.6GHz /Model # 4000+ 2.4GHz
- Memory Crucial Ballistix 2X 512MB PC3200 DDR CAS 2.0
- Hard Drives: Dual 10,000 RPM WD 36GB Raptors in a RAID 0 Array
- Video: PCI-X NVIDIA GeForce 6800GT
- Power: E-power 600W 24/20-Pin ATX
Test Software
- SYSmark 2004
- PCmark 2004
- 3Dmark 2001SE
- 3Dmark 2003
- Quake 3 (Time Demo 1)
- UT2004 (Botmatch/Flyby)
- Winstone 2004
- Windows XP SP1
- NVIDIA Forceware v66.81
- DirectX 9.0C
Cooling was handled by the new heatsink solution shipping with their retail CPUs; it is designed with a copper base with a set of liquid-filled heat pipes that lead from the copper base leading to thin aluminum fins that help to dissipate the heat. We had no problems with heat using the FX55 or 4000+ CPUs. This is unlike days of past where heat with an AMD CPU was of paramount concern. The cooler is however much larger that its predecessors, although from a users aspect that posed no problems in its installation process and it worked well without much evidence of noise, making it a quiet and efficient product.
