Synthetic Benchmarks (Cont.)

And to end our synthetic analysis, we will go through the different benchmark suites coming from Futuremark. These will provide a good indication on the system itself with our focus mainly on the processor. But next to that also on the game play of today's games. First we will start with PCMark05, followed by 3DMark06. We will reboot each time for each of these synthetic API's used and leave all processes running in the background. Similar to the other benchmarks we will compare both our Intel processors and analyze the difference reported. These are synthetic benchmarking packages with basic scripted computational work loads of common functions performed by the average desktop user.

Futuremark PCMark05

So first of all we start with the overall benchmarks suite from Futuremark. PCMark05 is everything you need to reliably and easily measure the performance of your PC and determine its strengths and weaknesses. With PCMark05, you will be able to select the optimal upgrades for your existing PC, or choose the right new PC that fits your specific needs. This easy-to-use product gives you the same tools and knowledge that virtually every professional tester in the industry uses. This suite provides the means for a unified benchmarking for desktop and laptop PC's and workstations. On top, it features to display advance system configuration information.

PCMark05 Results - Intel - 2GB RAM - Multi Core
	Core 2 Duo E6300	PCM5 Score
CPU Suite	2.66GHz (380x7)	6827
Memory Suite	2.66GHz (380x7)	6247
Graphics Suite	2.66GHz (380x7)	9312
System Suite	2.66GHz (380x7)	6652
	Core 2 Extreme QX6700	PCM5 Score
CPU Suite	2.66GHz (266x10)	8588
Memory Suite	2.66GHz (266x10)	5746
Graphics Suite	2.66GHz (266x10)	9304
System Suite	2.66GHz (266x10)	7549
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

So after our run with PCMark05, we put all the figures together of both CPU's from Intel. This shows us exactly the real deal about the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor. The main focus should be around the CPU Suite, which is a collection of tests that are run to isolate the performance of the CPU, including multithreading. This clearly show that the quad core is a faster processor compared to the dual core when equally clocked. We may not really look at the Memory Suite results as those are somehow injustice to the Core 2 Extreme QX6700. Why? Well we overclocked the Core 2 Duo E6300, and the only means we had was to increase to bus speed which has an effect on the memory bandwidth. But in the end you can clearly see that the system powered by the QX6700 has a higher rating as final result.

Futuremark 3DMark06

To complete the view and performance figures we also run a 3DMark06, which is the worldwide standard in advanced 3D game performance benchmarking. A fundamental tool for every company in the PC industry as well as PC users and gamers, 3DMark06 uses advanced real-time 3D game workloads to measure PC performance using a suite of DirectX 9.0c 3D graphics tests, CPU tests, and 3D feature tests. 3DMark06 tests include all new HDR/SM3.0 graphics tests, SM2.0 graphics tests, AI and physics driven single and multiple cores or processor CPU tests and a collection of comprehensive feature tests to reliably measure next generation gaming performance today.

3DMark06 Results - Intel - 2GB RAM - Multi Core (1280x1024)
	Core 2 Duo E6300	3DM6 Score
0x AA/Optimal	2.66GHz (380x7)	8579
	Core 2 Extreme QX6700	3DM6 Score
0x AA/Optimal	2.66GHz (266x10)	9514
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

First we ran the 3DMark06 program and benchmark with the default configuration which allows us, but also others to compare easily the performance delivered by the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 linked to real-time 3D gaming. When looking at these results, we see that the quad core is clearly in favor. We might somehow expected a bigger difference but make no mistake with about 1000 points ahead for the quad core it shouldn't be taken lightly. This final score is compiled for both the graphics card and the processor used.

3DMark06 Results - Intel - 2GB RAM - Multi Core (2560x1600)
	Core 2 Duo E6300	3DM6 Score
0x AA/Optimal	2.66GHz (380x7)	5238
8x AA/16x AF	2.66GHz (380x7)	1935
	Core 2 Extreme QX6700	3DM6 Score
0x AA/Optimal	2.66GHz (266x10)	5564
8x AA/16x AF	2.66GHz (266x10)	1979
Results Interpretation: Higher index values are better.

Since we now have a lovely 30" LCD display and the possibility to really play around with High Definition gaming resolutions we gave it a go. Actually we are using what NVIDIA calls the Extreme HD experience. Extreme HD will immerse you in games like never before, letting you see more of the exciting gaming action. So we turned our resolution up to the max and ran our benchmark again. We can see that once again the Core 2 Extreme QX6700 is coming out on top, although that the difference is less significant. Since the overall 3DMark06 score is weighted in with graphics subsystem performance as well, it make us wonder if the GeForce 8800 GTS is really up for all this processing power. So the numbers are much tighter since identical graphics cards were used in our test systems.