CPU Reviews & Articles

DOOM 3 Performance

DOOM 3 is a game that needs no introduction, and continues in a long line of id Software Quake and DOOM first-person shooters. This installment is one serious 3D game test, including potentially the highest-end graphics yet seen on the PC. It is also a different type of game benchmark, especially compared to Quake 3, as it has a greater reliance on the 3D video card for high-end framerate results. This makes it less-than an optimum current CPU performance test, but may still bear fruit as newer and faster processors make an appearance.

DOOM 3 has some level of video card dependence, but with a relatively high-end video card, it is still possible to achieve separation, especially at the lower resolutions. This is certainly true in this round of DOOM 3 benchmarking, and we can easily differentiate between the various processor classes. The Core 2 Extreme and Duo processor lines are both leading the Athlon 64 X2 6000+, and while the performance is close, AMD falls short once again. But at least this time it's to the Core 2 Duo/Extreme and not a quad core processor.

FarCry Performance

FarCry is a hot new first-person shooter that takes in-game graphics to the next level, although in a different direction than DOOM 3. Instead of darkness and confined spaces, FarCry places you outdoors, on bright sandy beaches, jungles or even on the water itself. This game gives our processors a different kind of a stress test, and rest assured that FarCry ranks up there with the very toughest 3D game benchmarks. For this test, we are using the full retail version, and a custom game demo.

FarCry continues the current gaming trend, where the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ performs well enough to be competitive, but simply doesn't have the juice to take a run at the Core 2 processors.

Half-Life 2 Performance

Half-Life 2 is the latest in a line of serious first-person shooters from Valve, and it has really taken in-game graphics to the next level. This is a great opportunity to really push our processors to the limit, as well as providing a counterpoint to newer 3D games like DOOM 3. This is also a CPU-reliant game in many ways, making Half-Life 2 a game that rewards higher-end processors and systems.

Half-Life 2 is another benchmark that is limited by the graphics component to some extent, but even under this demanding scenario, there is noticeable differentiation between the various processors. The Athlon 64 X2 6000+ processor shows a glint of hope here, and performs on par with the Core 2 Quad Q6600.