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For this we roundup, we used the following testing platform:

• CPU: E6700 Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.67 GHZ (333 * 8)
  
• Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe
• Memory: 2 gigabytes of GSKILL PC2-6400 CL4D-2GBHK DDR2 RAM (2 * 1024MB @ 833MHz 4-4-4-12/2T) 
• Power Supply: OCZ 850W GXS
• Hard Drive: 250 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA, w/16 MB cache
• CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U 12

For drivers, all of the ATI cards used Catalyst 8.2, while all of the NVIDIA cards used Forceware 168.28 except for the 9600GT, which used Beta 174.12. For the benchmarks, we used our standard set that we use in our video card reviews. All of our games were tested using a Vista OS:

Bioshock: For this benchmark, all of the Detail settings were set to 'High'. All of the graphic option switches were set to 'On', with the exception of the following three settings: Vsync, Windowed mode, and Force Global Lighting. We used FRAPS to measure frame rate performance. The FRAPS run was 138 seconds, triggered from pulling the switch in the sub at game's beginning. The sub's dive involves many big models moving around, which should strain the GPU's and be a good measure of the game's engine.

Call of Juarez: We used the stand-alone Call of Juarez DX10 benchmarking program for these results. For our AA testing, we used a setting of 2x.

Crysis: These benchmarks were performed using 'fly-by' GPU test found within the single-player pre-release demo version of the game. All graphic settings were on High.' For AA, we used a setting of 4x. DX10 mode was used. The game has been patched to version 1.1.

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars: We use this id FPS benchmark to test out a bit higher resolutions (1280x1024,1600x1200). The following settings were used: medium texture qualities, normal lighting quality, high shader effects, high terrain and foliage quality, ultra shader level, and shadows were on.

Unreal Tournament 3: We tested the game using a fly-through of the vehicle capture-the-flag map 'Suspense.'ShangriLa (map) running for 90 seconds. Details were set to 'High', and a AF setting of 4x was used.

World In Conflict: We used the built-in benchmark of the demo version of this game. We ran the benchmark in DX9 rendering mode, with a 'High' level of quality. For the AA testing, we used a setting of 4x, and a setting of 16x for AF.

If you would like any further information about our benchmark settings, feel free to ask us in the forums.