Test System

• Motherboard: EVGA 775 680i SLI-A1
• CPU: Intel Core Duo E6750@2.66GHz
• Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2 PC8500
• CPU Cooler: Rosewill RCX-Z4
• VGA: XFX Alpha Dog 8800GTS 512MB
• PSU: CoolerMaster 850w SLI Certified
• Hard Drives: Dual WD Raptor 75GB SATA150 RAID 0

Test Software

• 3Dmark 05/06 DX9
• PCmark 05
• Stalker DX10
• BIOSHOCK DX10
• Lost Planet DX10
• UT2003 DX9
• COD4 DX9
• Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32Bit

Drivers

• NVIDIA ForceWare Version: 169.06

Windows Vista takes quite a beating from many people on the web and we receive a lot of emails about why we use it instead of Windows XP, and why we only test in two resolutions at default settings in the NVIDIA control applet instead of multi tests with different AA and AF settings. We uses Windows Vista as it supports DX10 and the latest games are all using DX10 as well so Win XP is showing its age and may be faster in some DX9 titles, but no DX10 is getting end of life. When we use a game or fraps for test scores we turn the features to their maximum capabilities, so when you are reading a score in 1280X1024 or 1680X1050 Widescreen the settings inside the NVIDIA control panel may be at default, but the game features are all turned to high.

We are not going to waste time testing with all the features set to their lowest as that is plain lame and most users will only change the settings in-game as well as only the hardcore and overclockers will even ever go into the panel except to possible change their desktop resolution. Time considerations are also a constant factor as we already run the tests three times and balance out the score. That alone takes a few days per card and adding more tests that we feel are really not all the viable is not a very appealing factor to make it a reality. We always try and use the latest driver that is available on the NVIDIA website except in cases where we are forced to use a BETA driver in order to get a review out in time. We use Crucial memory in all our VGA and motherboard tests and try to maintain a steady test system that can span many reviews for accurate comparisons with different products. All SLI comparisons are on the EVGA 680i SLI and all CrossFire comparisons are done on the Asus Blitz Formula motherboard.