Benchmarks II
Let's now focus on gaming. We'll start, as always, with 3DMark 2001SE. Benchmarked at its default resolution of 1024x76x32
Another close set of results. The continuing theme appears to be that nForce2-based motherboards work most efficiently when we run them in dual-channel, synchronous DDR mode. Running single-channel, asynchronous mode (like the KT400s, for example) gives us comparatively poor results.
On to Serious Sam 2. We're benchmarking the publicly available Valley of the Jaguar Timedemo, one that is heavily reliant on subsystem speed, at 1024x768x32 Normal preferences.
The differences here are only highlighted in benchmarks. I can't tell the difference between 87 and 92 FPS respectively.
On to another system-taxing benchmark in Comanche 4. Run at 1024x768x32. Sound is disabled, naturally.
Single-channel, asynchronous mode does the nForce2 no real favours. If you really want to maximise your nForce2 motherboard, run it in synchronous dual-channel mode.