Test Setup and Methodologies

Test Setup

Processor: Intel C2D Xeon E3110 (45nm dual core)
Video Card(s): MSI RX3870 512MB / HIS IceQ HD3870 512MB
Memory: Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB 2X1GB PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 CL7-7-7-20
Motherboard: ASRock X48TurboTwins-WiFi
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA
Power Supply: Tagan BZ 900W
Case: None
Cooling: Swifttech Apogee (CPU), DangerDen Brass Maze 4 (GPU), D-Tek Fuzion (GPU), 2 x dual heatercore w/ 4 x 120mm fans
Fans: 2 x 120mm, 1 x 80mm
Operating System: Windows Vista Basic 64 bit

Overclocking Methodology

The following section shows the maximum overclock achieved on a dual core Xeon E3110 45nm 1333FSB 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 Vantage. This tests the 3D stability of the overclock as well as CPU, FSB and memory. 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 06/06/2008 was flashed as it is the most recent release by ASRock. The BIOS seems quite stable and all features are now working properly (after some minor issues with onboard LAN). 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.

General Benchmark Methodology

All benchmarks will be a comparison of the Xeon E3110 at stock speed and at maximum overclock to give an idea of how much performance a user can gain when overclocking the X48TurboTwins-WiFi. For CrossFire tests, the overclocked speed will be used to test performance between one and two HD3870 video cards in 3D benchmarks and games.

The overclocked speed on the Xeon E3110 will be 4203Mhz on the overclocked tests and RAM speed will be set to 560Mhz (DDR1120) and 6-5-5-20. CrossFire will be enabled, ATI Catalyst 8.5 drivers will be used for 3D along with Windows Vista Home Basic 64 bit.