• DFI NF4 SLI DR
• AMD64 X2 4400 @2.67GHz
• 2x1GB PC4000 @534MHz
• eVGA 7900GT @ 650/870Mhz forceware 91.47
• WD 250GB 16Mb Cache HD

Test setup #2.

• ASUS P5W64 Pro
• E6600@ 2.41GHz
• 2x1GB SuperTalent PC6400@800MHz
• eVGA 7900GT @ 650/870Mhz forceware 91.47
• WD 250GB 16Mb Cache HD
  

AMD SETUP RESULTS

Graphic Tests
1. Return to Proxycon 22.388 fps
2. Firefly Forest 24.902 fps

CPU Tests
CPU1 Red Valley 0.647 fps
CPU2 Red Valley 1.039 fps

3Dmark Score 6,562

SM 2.0 Score 2837

SM 3.0 Score 2686

CPU Score 2050

INTEL SETUP RESULTS

Graphic Tests
1. Return to Proxycon 21.358 fps
2. Firefly Forest 23.642 fps

CPU Tests
CPU1 Red Valley 0.662 fps
CPU2 Red Valley 1.047 fps

3Dmark Score 6,340

SM 2.0 Score 2700

SM 3.0 Score 2576

CPU Score 2081


As we can clearly see the performance difference between the 2 different setups is very small in CPU tests which was 31 points. Surprisingly though the performance in 3Dmark Score / GPU tests was in favor of the AMD setup, showing a difference of 222 points increase over the Intel setup.

The facts are there, and prove that either the Nforce 4 chipset is superior to the Intel 975 chipset or the chipset drivers still need maturing as far as gaming is concerned , or that the AMD X2 is giving some type of unseen performance boost in the department of gaming, even though it scores less in the cpu tests.

At this point it is clear that if gaming is your primary concern then purchasing either a Core2Duo setup or AMD X2 setup will do enough justice for you, and all that matters really is price. On the other hand if doing video encoding and/or 3d renders then there is no choice but a Core2Duo setup.

E6600 @ 2.67GHz vs X2 4400@ 2.67GHz - eVGA 7900GT @650/870MHz
Rest of settings same as above.

INTEL SETUP RESULTS

Graphic Tests
1. Return to Proxycon 21.444 fps
2. Firefly Forest 23.659 fps

CPU Tests
CPU1 Red Valley 0.733 fps
CPU2 Red Valley 1.166 fps

3Dmark Score 6,470

SM 2.0 Score 2706

SM 3.0 Score 2582

CPU Score 2310


AMD SETUP RESULTS

Graphic Tests
1. Return to Proxycon 22.388 fps
2. Firefly Forest 24.902 fps

CPU Tests
CPU1 Red Valley 0.647 fps
CPU2 Red Valley 1.039 fps

3Dmark Score 6,562

SM 2.0 Score 2837

SM 3.0 Score 2686

CPU Score 2050

As we can clearly see the CPU score climbed steadily, whereas the Game Tests results came in with a very slight increase.

We can conclude that the Setup with AMD X2 4400+ yielded better Graphics Tests score than the Intel E6600 setup with identical clocks. The overall difference in score came out to the AMD setup leading the pack by 92 points, whereas the E6600 setup closed the gap by producing a superior cpu score. Again showing that in a real world setting, there is literally no difference in gaming performance between an Intel Core2Duo processor and an AMD X2 processor at identical clocks, once we are gpu limited.

If all you do is game, and at maximum resolution/ max Image Quality settings, then it won't make a difference in the world if you run on an AMD X2 Rig or Intel Core2Duo setup. All that really matters is that you get the best graphics card for your dollar.

I know all the AMD fans out there wish that they could push their X2’s to the speeds at which Conroe’s are getting on air, and close the gap in performance. We’ll just have to sit back and see what new goodies the beautiful year of 2007 will bring for us enthusiasts.

There you have it folks, you be the judge and please do post your thoughts and feedback. Happy gaming and benching.

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