CPU Reviews & Articles

Test Setup

The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ is the fastest AM2 desktop processor and supplies AMD with its latest salvo against the Intel Core 2. We have assembled high-end platform configurations to match, along with an enthusiast-level set of CPU competitors. The AMD dual core contenders are out in full force, with a set of Athlon 64 FX-62 and Athlon 64 X2 5200+ and 5000+ AM2 processors. The Intel side is comprised of the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 and Core 2 Quad Q6600 quad core models, and the Core 2 Extreme X6800, Core 2 Duo E6700, and Core 2 Duo E6600 dual core processors.

Naturally, these high-end processors are matched with corresponding platforms and peripherals, while ensuring consistency with the overall reference system mix. The Athlon 64 FX-62, Athlon 64 X2 6000+, 5200+ and 5000+ processors run on an nForce 590 SLI motherboard, while the Intel processors use a quad core-compatible Intel D975XBX2. The base memory capacity is set at 1-GB, and both our Intel 975XBX2 and AMD nForce 590 SLI platforms use DDR2-800 at low-latency 4-4-4-12 timings.

The default hard disk configuration is comprised of dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB NCQ-enabled SATA drives set for RAID 0, which provides top-end disk performance and ensures consistent benchmarking. The video component is high-end as well, and consists of a PNY GeForce 7950 GT 512MB PCI Express card, which guarantees excellent performance and scalability for our test systems. Until our Windows Vista application/game testing and reference systems are where we want them, the operating system will continue to be Windows XP Pro SP2, along with DirectX 9.0c (February 2007).

The benchmark list includes a wide range of system, CPU, memory, and gaming tests. These include PCMark05, SiSoft SANDRA XI, Everest Ultimate Edition 2006, WinRAR 3.62, and CINEBENCH 9.5, along with TMPGEnc Xpress 3.0 for MPEG-1 and 2, XMPEG for DivX 6.4, and Windows Media Encoder 9 for WMV encoding. We also utilize popular 3D game tests like F.E.A.R., Company of Heroes, Prey, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Quake 4, Half-Life 2, DOOM 3, Chronicles of Riddick, 3DMark06, FarCry, Painkiller, and Unreal Tournament 2004. Our default game benchmark setting is 1024x768x32, which is demanding enough for CPU comparisons but still realistic as an actual game play resolution.

* Please note that unless otherwise stated, such as the media encoding times, all performance graph results equate to the standard "higher is better" routine.

Test Systems:

Intel Reference System:
Quad Core Processors: Core 2 Extreme QX6700 & Core 2 Quad Q6600
Dual Core Processors: Core 2 Extreme X6800, Core 2 Duo E6700 & Core 2 Duo E6600
Memory: 2 x 512-MB Corsair CM2X512-8500
Motherboard: Intel D975XBX2
Motherboard chip set: Intel 975X
Video Card: PNY GeForce 7950 GT 512MB PCIe
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 93.71
Hard-Drive: Dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen 5232 Combo Drive
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
DirectX 9.0c (February 2007)
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2

AMD Socket AM2 Reference System:
Processors: Athlon 64 X2 6000+, Athlon 64 FX-62, Athlon 64 X2 5200+ & 5000+
Memory: 2 x 512-MB Corsair CM2X512-8500
Motherboard: Asus M2N32-SLI
Motherboard chip set: nForce 590 SLI
NVIDIA nForce4 reference drivers: 500 Series 9.35
Video Card: PNY GeForce 7950 GT 512MB PCIe
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 93.71
Hard-Drive: Dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen 5232 Combo Drive
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
DirectX 9.0c (February 2007)
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2

General Settings:
Desktop Resolution: 1024x768
Color Depth: 32-bit
V-Sync: Disabled

3DMark06 Specifics:
Version 1.10

PCMark05 Pro Specifics:
Version 120

SiSoft SANDRA XI Specifics:
SP1