LockOn - F15 Demo1, 1024 x 768
7x 266 MHz FSB
7x343 MHz FSB
6x400 MHz FSB
7x400 MHz FSB
| 7x343 to 6x266 | 6x400 to 6x266 | 7x400 to 6x266 | 6x400 to 7x343 | |
| Min | 32.99% | 31.96% | 41.24% | -1.03% |
| Avg | 24.44% | 27.52% | 44.68% | 3.08% |
| Max | 24.67% | 27.88% | 44.67% | 3.21% |
From the numbers in the table above, we can see this game is again more influenced by higher processor clocks than higher FSB clocks or bandwidth. There's practically no difference in minimum frame rates between running at 7 x 343 MHz and 6 x 400 MHz, though there's a 3 percent difference in average and maximum fps. 3 percent difference is nothing to write home about. On the bright side, look at the performance increase we gained with a 2.8 GHz overclock - more than 40 percent across the board. That is something to write home about.
Brothers In Arms - Chapter 1, 1024 x 768
7x 266 MHz FSB
7x343 MHz FSB
6x400 MHz FSB
7x400 MHz FSB
| 7x343 to 6x266 | 6x400 to 6x266 | 7x400 to 6x266 | 6x400 to 7x343 | |
| Min | 5.96% | 11.92% | 11.26% | 5.96% |
| Avg | 7.74% | 13.12% | 16.47% | 5.38% |
| Max | 5.57% | 11.44% | 14.37% | 5.87% |
Traditionally, Brothers in Arms have been very graphics bound, so it's not surprising to see such a small increase with higher processor clocks. It is interesting to note that a simple 57 MHz increase in FSB accounts for half the increase of using 6 x 400 MHz than 7 x 343 MHz. Clearly, the additional memory bandwidth from using a higher FSB is more appreciated by the game than higher processor clocks. Too bad, the increase isn't really significant at around 6 percent per 57 / 66 MHz.
Conclusion:
From the games we tested today, only Homeworld 2, Rome Total War and F1 Career Challenge showed significant increases in frame rates. Its worth noting the increases are in minimum frame rates, which should help the gameplay experience tremendously. Most other games exhibit less significant increases, around 3 percent in average. However, most of these games, except for Brothers In Arms, enjoy a good boost from high processor clocks, around 12 percent in average from 2.4 GHz to 2.8 GHz with the same 400 MHz FSB.If we want optimal performance it looks like we have to settle for a 400 MHz FSB for the time being. At least until a new chipset with higher high FSBs tolerance comes along. But don't take it too hard. At 400 MHz, there are still some options left to improve performance - either use asynchronous memory settings, like using DDR2-1000 or DDR2-1066 modules or use tighter timing at synchronous settings. However, looking at the performance results, there's really no significant increase in performance to be gained. The only tool left to us that still offer considerable performance increase at this point is multiplier control, making processor with very high multipliers such as the E4300 very appealing. True, there's the X6800, but the E4300 cost peanuts compared to the X6800 and seems to have the same overclocking potential as the rest of Core based processors.
However, its unlikely we can push multiplier as high as we can without experiencing diminishing returns. Why? Because with higher procesor clocks, the need to supply more data - bandwidth is the keyword here - to keep those execution units filled become increasingly important. Since running higher FSBs is out of the option, we again must choose between running in asynchronous mode and / or use tighter timings. That may help a little, but even together they do not offer much of a bandwidth boost. But of course, that never stops any overclockers from trying. After all, that's actually the fun part of overclocking.
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