Performance - CPU Scaling
CPU ScalingOf course it makes sense to take a good look at the influence of raw processor power versus the graphics card is also. The following benchmarks will demonstrate that the GeForce FX is quite capable handling high-framerates at a mid-range system. It certainly loves a faster CPU though.
So we took an Athlon 1800+, 2000+, Pentium 4 2.4 GHz and 2.7 GHz and then compared the results again. In about a week or two i should receive an Athlon XP 3000+ (Barton) from AMD, the results with that CPU wil be included later. All systems are running with 512 MB Memory at 333 MHz, similar drivers builds , similar OS, and similar BIOS settings. Let's take a look:
Doom III
1024x768
1280x1024
1600x1200Athlon XP 1800+
36
25
18Athlon XP 2000+
35
25
18Pentium 4 2.4
35
25
18Pentium 4 2.6
36
25
18
Serious Sam 2
1024x768
1280x1024
1600x1200Athlon XP 1800+
90
86
75Athlon XP 2000+
93
90
77Pentium 4 2.4
98
92
78Pentium 4 2.6
107
99
81
As you can clearly see for yourself, the GeForce FX definitely likes a fast platform. In Unreal 2003 for example in 10x7 almost 40 frames difference between an Athlon XP 1800+ and Pentium 4 @ 2.7 GHz. In Doom III we can clearly see that the game is graphics card limited and not CPU limited.
