Quake 4
is the latest shooter from ID and is based on the Doom 3 engine. Tweaked to for
more eye candy, Quake 4 promises to be tougher on videocards and systems than
its predecessor was. Quake 4 also does not have a 60 fps limiter like Doom 3,
with the Ultra setting, graphic textures can surpass the 500MB mark! Each test
is run three times and with the third run being recorded.
 ID Software Quake 4 1.3 |
| LQ 640x480: |
FPS |
Ranking |
| ASRock AM2V890-VSTA
(K8T890 200/800 A64 5000+) |
154.4 |
   |
| Albatron KM51PV-AM2
(GF6150 200/800 A64 5000+) |
152.9 |
|
| MSI K9N SLI Platinum
(NF 570 SLI 200/800 A64 5000+) |
150.5 |
|
| Asus M2-CROSSHAIR (NF
590 SLI 200/800 A64 5000+) |
146.4 |
|
| Foxconn
975X7AA-8EKRS2H (975X 200/667 PD 840) |
127.3 |
   |
| MSI P4N Diamond (NF4
SLI 200/800 PD 840) |
150.5 |
|
| Biostar TForce P965
Deluxe (P965 200/800 PD 840) |
113.8 |
|
| ECS PN2 SLI2+ (NF 680i
SLI 200/800 Core 2 Duo GeForce 7800GTX Single) |
203.7 |
|
| ECS PN2 SLI2+ (NF 680i
SLI 200/800 Core 2 Duo GeForce 7800GTX SLI) |
200.6 |
|
| Asus P5N32-SLI Premium
(NF 590 SLI 200/800 Core 2 Duo GeForce 7800GTX Single) |
203.5 |
|
| Asus P5N32-SLI Premium
(NF 590 SLI 200/800 Core 2 Duo GeForce 7800GTX SLI) |
198.7 |
|
| Foxconn
975X7AB-8EKRS2H (975X 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.5 |
|
| MSI 975X Platinum
(975X 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.8 |
|
| Asus P5B (P965 200/800
Core 2 Duo) |
191.4 |
|
| Biostar TForce P965
Deluxe (P965 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.8 |
|
| Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3
(P965 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.6 |
|
| Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H
(P965 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.4 |
|
| MSI P965 Platinum
(P965 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
202.1 |
|
 ABIT AW9D-MAX
(975X 200/800 Core 2 Duo) |
201.8 |
   |
In the last benchmark of the day, the ABIT AW9D-MAX puts
on another solid showing. Most Intel platforms behave the same way with
identical processor and memory capacities installed.
Universal ABIT is Making a Come
Back
Universal ABIT has been pushing hard to regain its
status as the most enthusiast friendly manufacturer in the world. So far, it
looks to be having some good success. Probably the biggest challenge for
Universal ABIT this time around is the fact that other manufacturers have
taken notice of gamers, and the industry is openly supporting enthusiasts
as well. Will ABIT claw its way back to the top? Only time will tell...
ABIT's high end AW9D-MAX motherboard looks pretty sweet on paper; it's based on Intel's 975X Express chipset and supports Socket
775 processors up to 1066MHz FSB. The board has a decent list of integrated
features; eight Serial ATA II ports (one external), ten USB 2.0 ports,
two IEEE 1394a ports, dual GigABIT PCI Express network cards, 7.1 channel High
Definition audio and ABIT's Silent OTES 2 cooling system. The AW9D-MAX retails
for $244 CDN ($210 US, £107 GBP) which is what most other Intel 975X Express
motherboards cost.
Overall ABIT did a decent job with the physical
motherboard layout of the AW9D-MAX motherboard, however there are a few noodle
scratchers. For instance, why place the secondary Serial ATA II Silicon Image
controller under the PCI slot? What the heck is the auxiliary power connector
doing at the bottom left hand corner of the motherboard?
Things ABIT did right... the Silent OTES 2 cooling
system is more than just pretty, it works very well too. ABIT equips the
AW9D-MAX with solid state capacitors only, which will improve the long term
reliability of the board.
From what we saw in the benchmarks, it is clear that
the ABIT AW9D-MAX performed just as competently as every other Intel
975X or P965 Express motherboard in the reference list. That is hardly
surprising in itself. If you're into overclocking the AW9D-MAX did moderately
well in this regard. There are certainly a nice set of voltage options to
play with, but the memory timing adjustments were lacking.
Universal ABIT has a lot of work to do if it wants to
recapture the "enthusiast's choice" once again. Back in the day, ABIT was
the only game in town... and in that respect the ABIT AW9D-MAX
motherboard is a good solid platform, but just not the only one.
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Review
ID Software Quake 4 1.3
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