ASRock N68C-S UCC Motherboard Review

How We Tested

During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variables were the motherboard being tested and the addition or removal of a “real” video card (a Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 with a 64-bit memory interface).

Hardware Configuration

• Motherboard BIOS: 1.30
• CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 (3.2 GHz, dual-core, 512 KB L2 cache per core, socket AM3)
• CPU Cooler: AMD stock cooler
• Memory: Two 1 GB Crucial CT12864BA1067 modules (DDR3-1066/PC2-8500, CL7, 1.5 V), configured at 1,066 MHz
• Hard Disk Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 500 GB (WD5000AAKS, SATA-300, 7,200 rpm, 16 MB buffer)
• Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 3450 256 MB with a 64-bit memory interface (on some tests, see text)
• Video Monitor: Samsung Syncmaster 932BW
• Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream 400 W
• Optical Drive: Lite-On LH-20A1L

Operating System Configuration

• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
• NTFS
• Video resolution: 1440×900 75 Hz

Driver Versions

• NVIDIA chipset driver: 15.37
• NVIDIA video driver: 190.38
• AMD chipset/video driver: 8.700
• Audio driver: v7500F

Used Software

• 3DMark06 Professional 1.1.0
• Unigine Tropics Benchmark 1.2
• Fallout 3 – Patch 1.7
• Call of Duty 4 – Patch 1.7

Error Margin

We adopted a 3% error margin; thus, differences below 3% cannot be considered relevant. In other words, products with a performance difference below 3% should be considered as having similar performance.