Test System Setup

 

Processor(s): AMD Athlon X2 3800+ @ 2.59GHz

 

Motherboard(s): ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe (Supplied by ASUS)

 

Memory: 2 X 1GB Corsair PC3500LL PRO DDR (Supplied by Corsair )

 

Hard Disk(s): WD Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA (Supplied by Western Digital)

 

Operating System: Windows XP Professional SP1

 

Drivers: nVidia ForceWare 81.94 and DX9c

 

Since we have upgraded to the new Gigabyte G-Power Pro CPU Cooler (GH-PDU21-MF), it has opened up a whole new world of overclocking ability with our X2 processor. We have been able to increase our Athlon X2 3800+ to a blistering 2.59GHz utilizing a FSB of 259MHz.

 

We run the memory and processor in sync (1:1) with each other to make sure we get the maximum performance through as little latency as possible. The processor is now so important due to limiting the FPS we see much of the time lately. Every extra few MHz can now result in a healthy jump in performance and we want to be running our test system with as few bottlenecks as possible to give you a real indication of the performance of the graphics card.

 

Utilizing Coolbits we were able to achieve an overclock from 550MHz on the core to 608MHz and we moved the memory from 850MHz (or 1.7GHz DDR) to 895MHz (or 1.79GHz DDR). This is slightly above the speeds than the more expensive XXX Edition from XFX.

 

We will simply be looking at the performance of the card at stock and when overclocked and not against anything else today. There have been countless reviews around the internet showing the performance increase that is available when compared against the standard 7800GTX 256MB. We have also used the new 81.94 drivers from nVidia which really seem to make use of the Dual Core capabilities on our X2. We should really begin to see some high figures here especially for a single card solution.

 

3DMark03

 

Version and / or Patch Used: Build 360

 

Developer Homepage: http://www.futuremark.com

 

Product Homepage: http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark03/

 

Buy It Here

 

 

By combining full DX8 and partial DX9 support with completely new tests and graphics over the previous version, 3DMark03 continues the legacy of being the industry standard 3D benchmark.

 

Please Note: Due to recent events with the 3DMark03 series, we are adding results purely for those who are still in favor of 3DMark03. These results should not be taken too seriously and are only added for interest sakes.

 

 

While the overclock isn't huge we can clearly see an increase in performance here. At default the card does sneak past 20,000 3DMarks on a default run but when overclocked it is well and truly past it.