Test Setup & Methodologies


Test Setup

Processor(s): Intel C2D Xeon E3110 (45nm dual core) / Intel C2Q Q6600 (65nm quad core)
Video Card(s): BFG 8600GT 256MB / eVGA 8600GT 256MB
Memory: Mushkin 4GB HP2-6400
Motherboard: ASRock Penryn1600SLIX3-Wifi
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA
Power Supply: Tagan BZ 900W
Case: None
Fans: 1 x 120mm, 1 x 92mm

Overclocking Methodology

The following section shows the maximum overclock achieved on both a dual core Xeon E3110 45nm 1333FSB CPU as well as a quad core Q6600 65nm 1066FSB CPU. For testing methodology two main tests will be used and several benchmarks will be run at the overclocked speeds. The first of the two main stability tests will be a 5 hour custom test of OCCT which tests CPU, memory, and FSB stability. OCCT is a great test for reviews because it tests multiple core CPUs, creates user friendly graphs of temperatures and voltages, and is very efficient at picking up errors.

The second stability test will be 3 runs of 3DMark 2006. This tests the 3D stability of the overclock as well as CPU and FSB. Once an overclock passes these tests but fails anything further, this is the point deemed as “stable” for the purposes of this review.

Upon commencement of testing, BIOS 1.10 dated 4/23/2008 was flashed as it is the most recent release by ASRock. The BIOS seemed quite stable and LAN, Wifi, USB and HD Audio are all enabled by default this time. The ASRock BIOS is said to support 45nm CPUs and 1600 FSB CPUs right out of the box. Well, the 45nm claim is true since Xeon E3110 booted up first try with the stock bios as did a 65nm quad, Q6600. I don’t have a quad core 1600 FSB CPU unfortunately but from the performance from the stock BIOS and the 45nm I’m guessing it will be compatible.


General Benchmark Methodology

Since the Q6600 maxed out at a slightly higher overclock percentage than the Xeon E3110, and a 65nm quad will add extra stress to the voltage regulation portion of the board, the Q6600 will be used for the benchmarking section. All benchmarks will be a comparison of the Q6600 at stock speed and at maximum overclock to give an idea of how much performance a user can gain when overclocking the Penryn1600SLIX3-Wifi.

The overclocked speed on the Q6600 will be 3240Mhz on the overclocked tests and RAM speed will be set to 450Mhz and 5-4-4-14 for both stock and overclocked tests. SLI will be enabled, Nvidia Forceware 169.21 drivers will be used for 3D along with Windows XP 32 bit.