The following series of benchmarks are intended to provide insight as to the overall performance and stability of this motherboard using the components identified in the test system.
Sisoft Sandra Performance
Sandra is a system diagnostic utility that provides a wealth of information about a PC's hardware and software. Sandra also features processor and memory benchmarks, which are useful in establishing a performance baseline.
Sandra Performance
Sandra makes use of all available processor cores. The results here are from a quad core CPU and are basically twice that of a similarly clocked dual-core CPU. Sandra Lite can be downloaded here and used for comparison purposes.
AquaMark3 Performance
AquaMark3 is a system benchmark and is based on a real-world game engine. AquaMark3 consists of three independent scores: Graphics, CPU and Overall System Performance. The total score is based on the number of frames rendered during the benchmark run. The graphics score is also infleuenced by the processor and memory. However, the graphics score does not contribute to the CPU score.
AquaMark3 Performance
The results were obtained using default settings - 1024x768, 32-bit color, no antialiasng, 4X anisotropic filtering and maximum details. AquaMark3 can be downloaded here.
3DMark06 Performance
The final series of benchmarks comes from FutureMark's 3DMark06. The first graph below lists the overall 3DMark06 score for the three resolutions tested (1280x1024, 1680x1050, and 1920x1200). The subsequent graphs contain the results of the individual tests - shader model 2.0, high dynamic range/shader model 3.0 and cpu performance.
MSI's P7N SLI Platinum is a solid mid-range motherboard with SLI capabilities. With SLI Technology, a second matching graphics card can be added at the time of purchase, or in the future. This is the true power behind the P7N, which is transformed into the ultimate platform for delivering unprecedented levels of 3D graphics and high definition video performance.
Although I was unable to to exceed 3.2GHz on the overclock during the review, I believe the motherboard has potential. Prior to completing this article, I installed an Intel E6600 with 2GB of low latency PC2-6400 RAM and attained a 3.6GHz overclock with good stability. This was with a stock Intel cooler and about a 0.8v increase on the vcore. I just need some more time to find the right combinations for the solution for increasing the FSB with the Q6600.
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