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The Test System:
Before we get started with the cards, lets
take a quick look at the tests system.
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Hardware |
Model |
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Motherboard: |
Abit AW8D Crossfire |
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CPU: |
Intel Pentium D 940
Overclocked: 219MHz FSB/3490 MHz |
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Memory: |
OCZ: 2x1GB PC5400 XTC Gold
4-4-4-12 |
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Power: |
Antec TruePower
Trio 650 Watt |
The
AW8D build features an Intel Pentium D 940 overclocked to a modest
3490 MHz and cooled by an
AeroCool GT-1000 cooler, and a 2 x 1 GB Kit of OCZ PC2 5400
(4-4-4-12) RAM. The build included 2 x WD 74 GB Raptors in a RAID0, a
Seagate 750 GB storage drive and a
Plextor PX-755SA 16x DVD burner. The system was mounted in a
NZXT Apollo case and powered was provided by an Antec TruePower Trio
650 Watt power supply.
The AW8D is an ideal
choice for a crossfire motherboard as it uses the latest Intel® 975X /
Intel® ICH7R Express Chipset. In addition the AW8D offers the
uGuru system tool to handle system overclocking and a wealth of system
monitoring tools. Our Pentium D 940 may not be the top of the food
chain these days but it remains a solid choice for both performance and
budget minded PC builds.
The impressive Silent OTES system helps to keep the
system stable at 219 MHz FSB through the testing without breaking a sweat.
I first reviewed the
Abit AW8D Crossfire in August and found it to be the pinnacle of
Intel 975x performance ultimately earning a near perfect 9.5 score.
For that review I worked with Connect3D's excellent X1900 XT (658/810).
For this review the only other change to the system is
the power supply. As with any high end build, the choice of your
power supply is critical to the performance and life of the build.
If electricity is the blood of our performance PC, the power supply is
the heart of the build. Gone is the excellent NZXT 650 Watt Power
supply we received with our Apollo case and in its place we will be
using the Antec Truepower Trio 650 Watt power supply. This last
minute change was brought on by the arrival of the Antec unit with it's
three dedicated +12 Volt rails. Building on the successful
award wining Antec reputation, we felt the Truepower Trio would bring
extra stability to the build.
Testing Methodology:
To get a clean test environment we followed the advice
of Chris at Universal Abit and started with a clean Windows XP install.
For peace of mind, I also installed Norton's Internet Security 2007.
All testing was performed using the
ATI Catalyst 6.9 drivers
with the Catalyst Control Center installed.
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