Intel Quad-Core Core 2 Extreme QX6700 Performance Preview
How We Tested
Contents
The test bench consisted in two identical systems featuring the components listed below. The only variable component was the CPU being evaluated (Core 2 Extreme X6800 or Core 2 Extreme QX6700).
Figure 6: Our test bench.
Hardware Configuration
- Motherboard: Intel D975XBX2 Rev. 303 (BX97520J.86A.1446.2006.0913.1039 BIOS).
- Memory: Two Corsair PC8500 CM2X1024-8500 modules with 1 GB each, installed under DDR2 dual channel configuration (5-5-5-15 timings).
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320 GB, 7,200 rpm, SATA-300)
- Video Card: eVGA GeForce 7950 GX2.
Software Configuration
- Windows XP Professional installed using NTFS
- Service Pack 2
- DirectX 9.0c
Driver Versions
- NVIDIA video driver version : 91.47
- Intel Inf driver version: 7.2.2.1007
- All motherboard drivers
Used Software
- Divx 6.2.5 with XMPEG 5.03
- Sony Vegas 7.0a Build 115
- POV-Ray Beta 15
- 3ds Max 8 SP2
- PCMark05 Professional 1.1.0
- 3DMark06 Professional 1.0.2
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.