3DMark06
3DMark06 isn't really a game, but we couldn't resist running our processors through the benchmark--especially now that the application incorporates CPU performance in the overall 3DMark score. All four systems used the same Nvidia GeForce 7900 GTX video card, but the Intel Core 2 Extreme still contributed enough on the processing side to beat out our overclocked AMD Athlon FX-60. The Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 also had a strong showing, squeaking by the overclocked Athlon FX-60. The Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955's lackluster performance shows us why Intel was so anxious to get the Core 2 Extreme out this summer.
3DMark06 Intel Core 2 Performance Comparison
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
CPUs: Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800, Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 CPU(overclocked to 2.8GHz), Intel Pentium 955 Extreme Edition Systems: Asus A8N32 SLI Deluxe, Intel D975XBX, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR Memory, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR2 Memory, 160GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP Professional SP2. Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB. Graphics Drivers: Nvidia ForceWare 91.31.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
In Oblivion, our overclocked AMD Athlon 64 FX and both Intel Core 2 processors put up similar frame rates at the higher image quality settings where the bottleneck falls on the video card, but the Intel Core 2 Extreme pulls away when we drop down the resolution and turn off major graphical settings to unleash the CPU performance.
Oblivion Intel Core 2 Performance Comparison
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
CPUs: Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800, Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 CPU(overclocked to 2.8GHz), Intel Pentium 955 Extreme Edition Systems: Asus A8N32 SLI Deluxe, Intel D975XBX, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR Memory, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR2 Memory, 160GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP Professional SP2. Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB. Graphics Drivers: Nvidia ForceWare 91.31.
Quake 4
The processors maintained the same performance rankings in Quake 4, the Doom 3 engine-based shooter. Processor performance had the most impact in our 1024x768 resolution test. If you have a weaker processor, consider increasing your video settings to get the most out of your system.
Quake 4 Intel Core 2 Performance Comparison
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
CPUs: Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800, Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, AMD Athlon 64 FX-60 CPU(overclocked to 2.8GHz), Intel Pentium 955 Extreme Edition Systems: Asus A8N32 SLI Deluxe, Intel D975XBX, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR Memory, 1GB (512MB x 2) Corsair XMS DDR2 Memory, 160GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP Professional SP2. Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB. Graphics Drivers: Nvidia ForceWare 91.31.
Intel Core 2 Processor Hands-On Game Performance
Is the Intel "Conroe" Core 2 processor really an Athlon 64 killer? Find out if the Core 2 lives up to the hype in our game performance report!
