Dream Machine: Kentsfield + 8800GTX SLI + 680i SLI

3DMark 2006

3DMark 2006

3DMark06 includes an array of 3D graphics, CPU and 3D feature tests for overall performance measurement of current and future PC gaming systems. With this broader design approach, 3DMark06 has become the benchmark of choice for all PCs with top-of-the-line graphics hardware and CPUs. 3DMark06 is the first product from Futuremark using the AGEIA PhysX software physics library in two very complex, game-like threaded CPU tests conceived to measure properly performances of single processor, multi-core and multiple processor systems in next generation of games. In addition to using real-time physics, both CPU tests also employ multi-threaded artificial intelligence algorithms. By combining the results of the two CPU tests and four graphics tests, 3DMark06 enables users to get a 3DMark score which reflects the overall gaming performance of their PC.

With the X6800 CPU at stock speeds we were left a little flat with the overall 3D mark score of 13,326 considering a single 8800 GTX is pulling mid 10,000. Notice just how big of a leap the 8800 GTX is over the X1950XTX, the single card is less than 300 points lower than CrossFire! Overclocking the CPU however really brought the 8800 GTX’s to life! These things will take every CPU MHz you can give them. A 2615 point increase just from the CPU alone.

With the CPU speed increased we see a huge gain of 1361 points in SM 2.0. The single 8800 GTX is actually faster in the SM 2.0 tests than the X1950XTX CrossFire!

In SM 3.0 the change wasn’t as dramatic but a still impressive 970 point jump by increasing the CPU speed.