Test Setup
The 3.16 GHz Core 2 Duo E8500 is the fastest Intel dual-core, and may well be the highest-performing gaming processor on the market. Naturally, we're going to put it to the test against a selection of the fastest dual and quad core models from both AMD and Intel. The Intel contingent includes the Core 2 Extreme QX9650 (3.0 GHz), QX6850 (3.0 GHz) & QX6700 (2.66 GHz), and Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz) quads, along with the Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93 GHz) dual core. The AMD competition includes both quad and dual core processors, in the form of the Phenom 9900 (2.6 GHz), 9700 (2.4 GHz), 9600 (2.3 GHz) and 9500 (2.2 GHz), and the Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3.0 GHz) 5600+ (2.8 GHz), processors.
These high-end processors are matched with corresponding platforms and peripherals, while ensuring consistency with the overall reference system mix. The dual and quad core Intel processors have been paired with an enthusiast-level X38 Express motherboard, while the Phenom processors utilize a high-end 790FX platform and the Athlon 64 X2 models use an nForce 590 SLI motherboard.. The base memory capacity is set at 2-GB, with the AMD and Intel 1066 MHz processors receiving DDR2-800 (4-4-4-12), while the Intel 1600 and 1333 MHz CPUs can make use of DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15).
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 mainstream, and consists of a PNY GeForce 8800 GTS PCI Express card. The operating system remains Windows XP SP2, as Vista is still a bit inconsistent when it comes to some popular CPU benchmarks.
The benchmark list includes a wide range of system, CPU, memory, and gaming tests. These include PCMark05, SiSoft SANDRA XII, WinRAR, and CINEBENCH 9.5/10, along with TMPGEnc Xpress 4.0 for MPEG-2, DivX, WMV and HDV encoding. We also utilize popular 3D game tests like Supreme Commander, 3DMark06, F.E.A.R., Company of Heroes, DOOM 3, Quake 4, FarCry, Prey, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. 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:
Core 2 Processors: Core 2 Duo E8500, Core 2 Extreme QX9650, QX6850, QX6700 & X6800, and Core 2 Quad Q6600
Memory (1333 MHz): 2 x 1GB OCZ DDDR2-1066 (CAS5)
Memory (1066 MHz): 2 x 1GB Ultra DDDR2-800 (CAS4)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6
Motherboard chip set: Intel X38 Express
Video Card: PNY GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 163.71
Hard-Drive: Dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB in RAID 0 Mode
CD/DVD: AOpen DUW1608 16X DVD+/-R DL
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2
AMD Socket AM2+ Reference System:
Processors: Phenom 9900, 9700, 9600 and 9500
Memory: 2 x 1GB Ultra DDDR2-800 (CAS4)
Motherboard: ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe
Motherboard chip set: AMD 790FX
Video Card: PNY GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 163.71
Hard-Drive: Dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB in RAID 0 Mode
CD/DVD: AOpen DUW1608 16X DVD+/-R DL
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2
AMD Socket AM2 Reference System:
Processors: Athlon 64 X2 6000+, Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Memory: 2 x 1GB Ultra DDDR2-800 (CAS4)
Motherboard: ASUS M2N32-SLI
Motherboard chip set: nForce 590 SLI
Video Card: PNY GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
LCD: Dell 2407WFP 24"
NVIDIA reference drivers: ForceWare 163.71
Hard-Drive: Dual Maxtor MaxLine III 250GB in RAID 0 Mode
CD/DVD: AOpen DUW1608 16X DVD+/-R DL
Power Supply: Enermax EG651P-VE-24P 550W EPS12V
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP2
General Settings:
Desktop Resolution: 1920x1200
Color Depth: 32-bit
V-Sync: Disabled
