Gaming Performance
Our gaming performance was tested with a variety of current games and additional titles will be added soon. We ran benchmarks with our standard 1280x1024 resolution with all games set to High Quality or Maximum settings except for AA/AF. Given the number of users that run 19" LCDs these days, 1280x1024 represents one of the most commonly used resolutions.Battlefield 2
This benchmark is performed using DICE's built-in demo playback functionality with additional capture capabilities designed in house. When using the built-in demo playback features of BF2, frames rendered during the loading screen are counted in the benchmark. In order to get a real idea of performance, we use the instantaneous frame time and frames per second data generated from our benchmark run. We discard the data collected during the loading screen and calculate a result that represents actual game play. While DICE maintains that results over 100fps aren't always reliable, our methods have allowed us to get useful data from high performing systems.
Serious Sam 2
This benchmark is performed using Croteam's built-in demo capability in the Serious Sam II engine. We utilize the included Branchester Demo and capture the playback results using the Ctrl-~ function. The benchmark features a large number of combatants, explosions, and general mayhem. The benchmark is can be CPU bandwidth or GPU sensitive depending upon the settings and resolution. We typically find this game is very playable at average in-game rates of 55 and above. We maximize all settings except antialiasing and anisotropic filtering within the general and advanced video settings.
F.E.A.R.
F.E.A.R. uses a built-in performance test that generates graphical test scenes based upon the actual game engine. This test consists of a couple of different action sequences, a stressful water flyby, and heavy use of shadows while traveling through hallways. F.E.A.R. is a very graphics intensive game and we switch all settings to maximum for both the system and GPU except we disable "soft shadows". We find the game is playable around 35fps although we prefer a solid 45fps.
Gaming Summary
We see the DDR3 setups struggling in the Battlefield 2 tests even with improved latencies which only account for around a 1% improvement in the scores. The high latencies and relaxed memory sub-timings of our DDR3 systems are still suited for this game. In the CPU/GPU bandwidth hungry F.E.A.R., the DDR3 platforms have a slight advantage with the improved memory timings showing an improvement, albeit a minor one. Our Serious Sam 2 benchmark at this resolution is both CPU throughput and memory bandwidth sensitive to some degree. The increased bandwidth offered by the 1333FSB setting allows this configuration setting to provide the best scores. Once again, we see very minor improvements with the lower DDR3 memory timings mainly due to relaxed sub timings.
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eamon - Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - link
It's a bit of a shame there's nothing about the power consumption of the various motherboards.lopri - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
While reading this article I couldn't help but thinking "what for?". Summary of this article could be:1. Using Beta BIOS
2. and Beta Drivers
3. We didn't find anything significant.
What's more interesting is,
Then it goes on,
I went on to look through the comments section in previous P35 article, and I haven't seen ONE comment regarding DDR3 '1T' performance nor DDR3 CrossFire. Most users seem to take interest in performance increase over existing chipset (using DDR2) and overall usability of newly introduced features (eSATA with port multiplier, USB/RAID performance, Turbo memory(?), etc.), as well as the upgrade-ability to Penryn.
If AT thinks at this point DDR3 is the #1 topic in enthusiast community, I should say they are living in a different world. It could be a different story, though, if there is a different motif/agenda to 'push' DDR3 (1T is an icing on the cake). Is there? :)
When P965 just got mature after so many headaches that users go through, I suggest AT to take a cautious approach to P35. To many (all?) users, P35 is just a P965+ and DDR3 isn't even a factor. Instead of 1~2% of performance increase using DDR3, I'd like to see thorough testings on overall system stability and usability of newly introduced features from AT reviews. (I hope others would agree)
P.S. And what is this?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/PenguinBell...">http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d177/PenguinBell...
yacoub - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I'm also interested to know why they switched their testbed's GPU to something few people own instead of the more standard 8800GTX that offers at least as good performance but is also used by a wider percentage of readers and has a more mature driverset.Why does Anandtech seem to go out of their way to find the most incongruous system possible compared to their audience?
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
P965 CrossFire is supported, and SLI is not, so that's one reason to use a 2900 XT. It's a feature that is touted as a selling point of the motherboards.yyrkoon - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
You guys sure are 'harping' heavily on this new fan dangled P35 chipset . . . Surely there are other, better things to write about in this day and age ? I am all for reading about impressive benchmarks, and new technology etc, but man, I think you guys have beat this horse to death.Personally, I would rather be reading about the possibilities of PCIe v2.0, more camera reviews, Virtualisation, or even what Linux people think about Vista.
Some new content for your readers would be appriciated . . .
yacoub - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I was sorta with you until I read your list of alternatives. Then I immediately wanted to read more P35 reviews if those are the alternatives. =Ptungtung - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
" Considering the performance of the P35 chipset when set up correctly, we would love to see a manufacturer utilize a different PCIe controller chip setup and bring 8x8 CrossFire capability to this chipset. "Kinda confused by what this means. I mean isn't the PCIe controller built into the northbridge (or southbridge). So if someone were to use a different controller wouldn't it kinda defeat the purpose of having the P35 and ICH9 pairing in the first place? Or does it suggest adding an extra southbridge chip to get a better PCIe performance?
JarredWalton - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
I believe that a motherboard manufacturer could make an 2 x X8 PCIe configuration with P35 if they were so inclined. Gary can correct me if that's wrong.Nailer - Saturday, May 26, 2007 - link
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/pcuser/articles/0705/26...">Asus Blitz Extreme and Blitz Formula Computex Preview - Cross Link (2 x X8 PCIe)Haltech - Thursday, May 24, 2007 - link
How exactly can by switching motherboards can up FPS in games? Is it just one northbrige chip better then the other or just the layout.