3DMark 2005 is the latest version in the popular 3DMark series of gaming benchmarks, and is the first to actually require full DirectX 9.0 compatibility. The 3DMark '05 program also offers a high-end selection of both gaming and CPU tests, while upping the ante in terms of jaw-dropping graphics and 3D feature support. 3DMark '05 is not only a prime way of determining potential DirectX 9 game performance, but the individual CPU performance score also makes it a valuable tool in processor reviews and performance comparisons. As in all of our game tests, this benchmark was performed at the standard 1024x768x32 resolution and color depth.
The 3DMark 2005 CPU benchmark is the only benchmark that shows a significant gain when comparing the 90nm Athlon 64 FX-57 against the 130nm Athlon 64 FX-55. We tested and retested this section of 3DMark 2005, and have just concluded that the new San Diego core takes to this CPU benchmark like a duck to water. We found the same findings in our Athlon 64 X2 4800+ review, and while most of the improvement is due to multi-threading, at least some of it is due to the 90 nm San Diego core.
AquaMark 3 is a relatively new DirectX 9 benchmark, and although it does not correspond to an actual game, it does use the same Krass engine as found in products such as Aquanox 2 and Spellforce. AquaMark 3 also supports new features such as Hyper-Threading, Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader 2.0, and uses a wide range of DirectX 9 effects and features. For this review, we've tested the basic performance benchmark in standard 1024x768 32-bit mode, and offer up the CPU scores.
The AquaMark 3 CPU scores bring us back into the standard gaming format, with the Athlon 64 FX-57 back in front, and well ahead of the single and dual core Intel competition. Once again it's record-breaking time, as the Athlon 64 FX-57 is the first desktop processor to post a higher-than 12K score in AquaMark 3.
Halo: Combat Evolved is a hot, action adventure game that not only features luscious indoor and outdoor graphics and a killer story, but some very innovative gameplay as well. Our Halo test uses the default timedemo, while also enabling 2.0 shaders for all benchmark testing.
The Halo benchmark results are similar to DOOM 3, with some inherent limitations causing the processors to bunch closer together. But although the gaps are exactly large, the Athlon 64 FX-57 does manage to post the highest Halo score, and ends off our game benchmarking section with yet another victory.
Buying Choices:
For 64 FX 57, 2.8GHz (ADAFX57BNBOX) Retail Processor Products from online stores:
