MSI K8N Diamond Plus Motherboard Review

How We Tested

During our benchmarking sessions, we used the configuration listed below. Between our benchmarking sessions the only variable was the motherboard being tested.
 
Hardware Configuration

• BIOS version: 1.12, December 22nd, 2005.
• Motherboard revision: 1.0.
• Processor (performance benchmarking): Athlon 64 3800+ (2.4 GHz) with 512 KB L2 cache, NewCastle core.
• Processor (overclocking): Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2 GHz) with 512KB L2 cache, Venice core.
• Cooler: Gigabyte 3D Rocket Cooler Pro.
• Memory: Two Corsair PC4000 TWINX1024-4000PRO modules with 512 MB each, installed on DDR Dual Channel configuration (3-4-4-8 1T timings).
• Hard Drive: Samsung SpinPoint SP0411N (7,200 rpm, 40 GB, ATA-133).
• Video Card (main): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128 MB PCI Express.
• Video Card (secondary, SLI): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128 MB PCI Express.
• Video Card (AGP): NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT.
• Video resolution: 1024x768x32 75Hz.
• Power Supply: Seventeam ST420BKV-03F.

Software Configuration

• Windows XP Professional installed using NTFS
• Service Pack 2
• DirectX 9.0c

Driver Versions

• NVIDIA video driver version : 71.89 WHQL
• NVIDIA nForce driver version: 6.53 WHQL Stand Alone Kit
• NVIDIA video driver version: 81.98 WHQL (nForce4 X16)
• NVIDIA nForce driver version: 6.85 (nForce4 X16)
• ULi driver version: Integrated 2.10.
• ATI driver version: 1.0.
• High Definition Audio driver version: Realtek 1.21.
• Creative audio driver version: 5.12.01.506.

Used Software

• SYSmark2004 – Patch 2
• PCMark04 Business 1.3.0
• 3DMark2001 SE 3.3.0
• 3DMark03 Pro 3.6.0
• 3DMark05 Pro 1.2.0
• Doom 3
• Quake III Arena 1.32

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.