Test System Setup

Processor(s): AMD Athlon X2 3800+ @ 2.6GHz (260MHz FSB with RAM 1:1)
Motherboard(s): DFI SLI DR Expert (Supplied by Bronet)
Memory: 2 X 1GB G.Skill HV DDR500 (Supplied by Bronet)
Hard Disk(s): Hitachi 80GB 7,200 RPM SATA 2
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2
Drivers: ATI Catalyst 6.5 and 6.6 and DX9c


The test system has seen somewhat of an overhaul since our last Catalyst article. Thanks to the addition of the DFI SLI DR Expert motherboard, we are running our AMD X2 3800+ at a very stable 2.6GHz. This will go along way to help us remove the CPU as a possible bottleneck in our benchmarks.

The increased CPU clock speed is also made capable with the new G.Skill memory we are using which is running at 520MHz DDR (1:1 with the CPU FSB). We have moved across to a SATA 2 Hitachi drive as well in the mean time but this won’t influence 3D benchmark figures much at all.

This month we do only have with us our X1K line up but we promise that a previous generation X800 series card will makes its way back into our line up by the time the Catalyst 6.7 drivers come around next time.

Let’s get things under way and see what the guys from ATI in Canada have managed to do for us this month.


3DMark05

Version and / or Patch Used: Build 120
Developer Homepage: http://www.futuremark.com
Product Homepage: http://www.futuremark.com/products/3dmark05/
Buy It Here




3DMark05 is now the second latest version in the popular 3DMark “Gamers Benchmark” series. It includes a complete set of DX9 benchmarks which tests Shader Model 2.0 and above.

For more information on the 3DMark05 benchmark, we recommend you read our preview here.




No performance increase promised and no performance increase seen, across the board.