System Set-up and Software Used

In order to see just how well the card new FireGL V8600 performed, we utilised our new “in house” test system supplied courteously by Intel, Corsair and Akasa.  We also wanted to show how well the platform maintained its performance levels, but this time around we added in 2 new components to give the system a tremendous performance enhancement.  Corsair with their new 4GB (2x2GB) CorsairTwinX XMS3, DDR3 (1600) memory; and Western Digitals 1TB Green Hard Drive.

In our last article we said that we would show the new Intel DX38BT Mainboard had much to offer in upgrade paths.   Today is just the first rung on the ladder of showing just how versatile it really is.

The upgrade paths are of a twofold exercise which will become much clearer in a future review.   But for now we put them to the test within this exclusive reviewing of the FireGL V8600.

The aim with Western Digitals Hard Drive was to highlight that there is no performance drop in the results even with the full Terabyte of the hard disc completely formatted with no partitions in place.  Many scuttle butt rumours are flying about that the drive does not perform as well as claimed.  Today we will put a stop to that rumour with hard and fast evidence showing it can do the work load as claimed.

The Intel DX38BT mainboard bios settings were left at default and it automatically adjusted the clock speed settings and voltages to facilitate the CPU’s and Memory to maintain the correct functionality which the it has to offer.

Hardware Suppliers for the Review

Intel EU for the supply of the new Mainboard & CPU shown, Western Digital for the SATA Hard Discs, AMD for the supply of the FireGL V8600 professional graphics card, and finally but by no means least; Akasa for a majority peripherals required for this review.

With the support and help of all the companies involved.   It gives you the reader a new choice on upgrade paths that many of you look for here with the performance ratio’s each system has to provide.

Systems Integrators, OEM’s and VAR’s should contact all companies directly for pricing and availability of all components. Members of the public should contact their respective suppliers requesting the parts directly.

Benchmarks and Software Used (32 Bit Mode)

The plethora of benchmarks available in this arena; one could spend all day in producing results if the time permitted, paralysis by analysis!  The clock ticked hard and fast against us therefore we did only have a very short time in which to complete this basic but factual review.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2

SPECviewperf® 10.0 – Run All Tests ran at 1280 X 1024 & 1600 X 1200 Resolutions with both types of
                                    Hard Drives supplied by Western Digital.

So that readers will be able to see how much performance increase has been gained throughout the range SPECviewperf® tests by the individual cards.   We have split up into their individual test categories from each test system and run.   Therefore one page has been dedicated for the Multi Threading Test and the Overall SPEC Viewperf and Full Scene Antialiasing benchmark results from system shown.   This will give the reader an idea of what to expect when they plan in purchase, especially at the higher resolutions. 
  
Each card completed the test etc on a clean system hard drive to ensure that no residue drivers were left installed with all updates/patches applied.   A test/render has been completed many times over different periods of the system uptime.   Maintaining the fair play rules of SPECviewperf® we did not manipulate any of this mainboards functionality and left it at its default settings in which it was supplied.   Tests have been conducted at 1280 X 1024 @ 60Hz & 1600 X 1200 @ 60Hz in 32 bit colour.   Results that have been shown within this review are from the application/benchmarks first run in accordance with the SPECviewperf® fair play rules.  Not an average of 3 runs as some places seem to think is right. 

The results speak very clearly for themselves as a picture paints a thousand words; so there is no need for a running commentary of the results gained from each system.  “Run Logs” from the SPECviewperf®  tests are available to those of you who wish to see them.    Please e-mail the administrator here who will forward them onto you on a first come first served basis.    This may take some time to get back to you as on first out launches of this nature we are undated with requests.

Page 1 - Introduction
Page 2 - FireGL V8600 in the Flesh
Page 3 - System Configuration and Software Used
Page 4 - SPECviewperf® 10.0  run_all Threads 1280 X 1024
Page 5 - SPECviewperf® 10.0 run_all Threads 1600 X 1200
Page 6 - SPECviewperf® 10.0  run_all FSAA 1280 X 1024
Page 7 - SPECviewperf® 10.0  run_all FSAA 1600 X 1200
Page 8 - SPECviewperf® 10.0  run_all 1280 X 1024
Page 9 - SPECviewperf® 10.0  run_all 1600 X 1200
Page 10 - Conclusions