3DMark06	Source: FutureMark

3DMark06 is the worldwide standard in advanced 3D game performance benchmarking. A fundamental tool for every company in the PC industry as well as PC users and gamers, 3DMark06 uses advanced real-time 3D game workloads to measure PC performance using a suite of DirectX 9 3D graphics tests, CPU tests, and 3D feature tests. 3DMark06 tests include all new HDR/SM3.0 graphics tests, SM2.0 graphics tests, AI and physics driven single and multiple cores or processor CPU tests and a collection of comprehensive feature tests to reliably measure next generation gaming performance today.

3DMark06
Overall:	Points	Ranking
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	4194
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	149
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	4186
CPU:	Points	Ranking
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	1533
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	1591
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	1633

3DMark06 numbers are very good with the Geforce 7800GTX PCI-E videocard, pretty darn horrible on the Intel GMA950 graphics. It is interesting to note that the CPU score with the ECS 945G-M3 is higher than that of the nForce 4-based ECS C19-A SLI motherboard.

FarCry	Source: Ubisoft

Real-time editing, bump mapping, static lights, network system, integrated physics system, shaders, shadows, and a dynamic music system are just some of the state of-the-art features that the CryENGINE offers. The game was set to Ultra quality and the Ubisoft's Regulator demo was run.

FarCry:
Regulator 640x480:	FPS	Ranking
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	77.39
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	8.71
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	77.2

SFF gaming is possible when a third party videocard is installed. The onboard Intel GMA950 is simply too weak.

X3: Reunion	Source: EGOSOFT

Extensive development has gone into the X³ engine, making full use of DirectX 9 technology, to create dramatic visual effects and stunningly realistic starships. Coupled with the massively enhanced A.L. (Artificial Life) system, X³: REUNION will present players with an ever changing, evolving universe; where a players actions really can shape the future of the universe.

X3: Reunion
1024x768:	FPS	Ranking
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	46.299
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	6.31
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	45.864

The onboard GMA950 is too weak for a 3D video game like X3: Reunion also. With any motherboard that incorporates onboard graphics, it is very important that there still be an option to upgrade to a full videocard, be it AGP8x or PCI Express. Dell is really bad at this, we've seen too many Dell workstation PCs which don't have any dedicated videocard slots at all, just the solder marking where they could go.

Unreal Tournament 2004	Source: Epic

Unreal Tournament 2004 is the sequel to the highly popular UT2003 and uses the very latest Unreal Engine technology. Unreal Tournament 2004 employs the use of Vertex and Pixel Shaders and it's recommended that you use a DirectX 9 videocard if you plan to play competitively.

UT2004
dm-rankin	FPS	Ranking
Foxconn 955X7AA-8EKRS2 (955X 200/667)	91.86
Foxconn 945P7AA-8EKRS2 (945P 200/667)	89.7
MSI P4N Diamond (NF4 SLI 200/800)	92.38
Epox 5NVA+ SLI (NF4 SLI 200/800)	88.88
Foxconn NF4SLI7AA-8EKRS2 (NF4 SLI 200/800)	86.45
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	87.48
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	34.7
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	88.46
as-convoy	FPS	Ranking
Foxconn 955X7AA-8EKRS2 (955X 200/667)	62.3
Foxconn 945P7AA-8EKRS2 (945P 200/667)	61.07
MSI P4N Diamond (NF4 SLI 200/800)	62.77
Epox 5NVA+ SLI (NF4 SLI 200/800)	63.14
Foxconn NF4SLI7AA-8EKRS2 (NF4 SLI 200/800)	55.92
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	58.16
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	23.92
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	62.12
ctf-bridgeoffate	FPS	Ranking
Foxconn 955X7AA-8EKRS2 (955X 200/667)	127.32
Foxconn 945P7AA-8EKRS2 (945P 200/667)	125.34
MSI P4N Diamond (NF4 SLI 200/800)	129.95
Epox 5NVA+ SLI (NF4 SLI 200/800)	130.5
Foxconn NF4SLI7AA-8EKRS2 (NF4 SLI 200/800)	120.13
ECS C19-A SLI (NF4 SLI XE 200/800)	128.53
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 GMA950)	40.48
ECS 945G-M3 (945G 200/667 7800GTX)	127.84

UT2004 framerates are okay with the onboard GMA950 graphics card. When a GeForce 7800GTX is installed, it boosts 3D performance to the levels of the other Intel motherboards. The next test with Doom 3 and Quake 4 should be telling.