DFI 855GME-MGF and Pentium-M Dothan Desktop Performance

In this series of game tests, we benchmarked the test systems using our custom multiplayer Doom 3 timdemo. We cranked the resolution down to 640 x 480 and configured the game to run at its "Low-Quality" graphics setting. Without question, Doom 3 is a graphics card killer of a benchmark, but when we turn down the resolution and the eye candy, the game is significantly more CPU dependant.

Doom 3 Benchmarks Low Quality CPU Test - OpenGL Gaming Performance

There is one thing for certain, our low res gaming CPU performance benchmarks are showing consistent scalable results.  Again we see the same spread in the field of benchmarks, with the overclocked Pentium Ms posting up the fastest scores for Intel CPUs and AMD's high end Athlon 64s taking the number one and two spots.  The 2.5GHz Pentium M is neck and neck with the Athlon 64 4000+, with a score that is well within the margin of error for this test.

Doom 3 Benchmarks High Quality System Full System Test - OpenGL Gaming Performance

In this test run, at the last minute we decided to see if that AGP4X slot on the DFI 855GME-MGF would hold back the GeForce 6800GT in our test configuration.  So we cranked up the resolution, image quality and anti-aliasing in Doom 3 for a real-world gaming enthusiast benchmark run.  The goal was to see what this architecture could do versus an identical PCI Express graphics card configuration in the case of the Pentium 4 test-beds and an AGP8X graphics solution for the Athlon 64 system.

All of the scores are fairly tightly bunched together here but as you can see, the AGP4X interface on the DFI 855GME-MGF motherboard, with its Intel i855GME chipset, doesn't hinder the graphics subsystem in the least in this high resolution Doom 3 gaming test.  In fact, our two overclocked Pentium M scores are a couple of frames per second faster than even the Athlon 64 4000+.