Owners of the GeCube Radeon X1950XT AGP Card.

[evolucion8]

http://www.simhq.com/_technology/technology_019b.html
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__6
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__7
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__8

Benchmark Analysis
Our benchmark analysis really has two specific areas to address, so let's start off with the Pentium 4-3.4 GHz Extreme Edition. Needless to say, when it comes to pure gaming performance, the Pentium 4-3.4 GHz EE is definitely at the top of the food chain, and doesn't take a back seat to any other processor. The high-end Athlon 64 models do come close, but the newest Extreme Edition is not only a benchmark champion, but an incredible real-world performer as well. The standard 8K L1/512K L2 design allows relative performance compared to the Northwood, and the core's 2-MB of L3 cache really pays dividends in the gaming arena.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page11.html#opengl
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page13.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page14.html

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=p434ee&page=7
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=p434ee&page=8

Performance is very nice across the board, as it certainly should be for a processor with this kind of price tag. As always, the Pentium 4 processors are extremely strong in terms of content creation and media encoding, while still holding their own in terms of gaming performance. While these chips are made for gamers and power users (as it states directly on the box), the gaming performance of these chips is not anything incredible in comparison to AMD's top-tier Athlon64 and Athlon64 FX processors. AMD is right on par with these top of the line P4EE chips in terms of gaming, with processors which cost less than one-half (actually, closer to one third) of the 3.4 GHz Extreme Edition CPU.

The argument has never been if the Extreme Edition processors are fast, the argument is "Are the Extreme Edition processors fast enough to justify their price tags?". Considering this processor is going for well over $1,000, we would certainly say no at this time. Don't get us wrong, the P4EE 3.4 GHz is one extremely fast processor, and in some benchmarks it's the fastest single CPU available on the market, but we're seeing 10% or smaller performance gaps between the standard P4 and the P4EE processors. For this 10% performance boost, Intel wants consumers to pay over 100% more for the processor core. While there is undoubtedly SOME application out there which will see a large performance boost with the P4EE models over the regular P4's, we haven't seen anything which gives a truly noticeable performance difference in the real-world over a typical 3.2C or 3.4C GHz Pentium 4 processor.

http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/pentium4-3.4ghz/index.x?pg=5
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/pentium4-3.4ghz/index.x?pg=6

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page9.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page10.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page11.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page12.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page13.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page14.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page15.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page16.asp

Performance: Does it really matter that Intel?s 3.4GHz Extreme Edition is basically a souped-up workstation processor? Not really- the fact of the matter is that the new 3.4GHz Extreme Edition flies through gaming benchmarks. It?s even fast enough to best the Athlon 64 FX-51 in several situations, at which point you?re comparing Ferrari?s Enzo to Lambo?s Murcielago.

Scoring cutting-edge equipment is delicate business. On one hand, it?s impossible to deny compelling benchmark numbers. For the most part, Intel?s juggernaut trades salvos with AMD?s own battleship tit for tat. We?re going to call a draw in the performance department ? it?s just too close to call.

I don't see a lowly Athlon 64 3200+ wiping the floor with the P4EE 3.4GHz, in all benchmarks here, done when those CPU's were released, shows that the Athlon FX 53 and FX 51 are slighly faster in some situations and slighly slower in others, mostly a tie in gaming, giving the slight edge to the Athlon FX system, but in everything else, the P4 EE shines of it's own, video encoding, multi tasking, content creation, etc. Even though these CPU's were running at stock, overclocking can make a difference depending solely on the systems. Paying a 1k for this CPU really sucked, but I just paid only 80 bucks

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
http://www.simhq.com/_technology/technology_019b.html
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__6
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__7
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3261_3307281__8

Benchmark Analysis
Our benchmark analysis really has two specific areas to address, so let's start off with the Pentium 4-3.4 GHz Extreme Edition. Needless to say, when it comes to pure gaming performance, the Pentium 4-3.4 GHz EE is definitely at the top of the food chain, and doesn't take a back seat to any other processor. The high-end Athlon 64 models do come close, but the newest Extreme Edition is not only a benchmark champion, but an incredible real-world performer as well. The standard 8K L1/512K L2 design allows relative performance compared to the Northwood, and the core's 2-MB of L3 cache really pays dividends in the gaming arena.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page11.html#opengl
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page13.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/02/01/intel/page14.html

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=p434ee&page=7
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=p434ee&page=8

Performance is very nice across the board, as it certainly should be for a processor with this kind of price tag. As always, the Pentium 4 processors are extremely strong in terms of content creation and media encoding, while still holding their own in terms of gaming performance. While these chips are made for gamers and power users (as it states directly on the box), the gaming performance of these chips is not anything incredible in comparison to AMD's top-tier Athlon64 and Athlon64 FX processors. AMD is right on par with these top of the line P4EE chips in terms of gaming, with processors which cost less than one-half (actually, closer to one third) of the 3.4 GHz Extreme Edition CPU.

The argument has never been if the Extreme Edition processors are fast, the argument is "Are the Extreme Edition processors fast enough to justify their price tags?". Considering this processor is going for well over $1,000, we would certainly say no at this time. Don't get us wrong, the P4EE 3.4 GHz is one extremely fast processor, and in some benchmarks it's the fastest single CPU available on the market, but we're seeing 10% or smaller performance gaps between the standard P4 and the P4EE processors. For this 10% performance boost, Intel wants consumers to pay over 100% more for the processor core. While there is undoubtedly SOME application out there which will see a large performance boost with the P4EE models over the regular P4's, we haven't seen anything which gives a truly noticeable performance difference in the real-world over a typical 3.2C or 3.4C GHz Pentium 4 processor.

http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/pentium4-3.4ghz/index.x?pg=5
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/pentium4-3.4ghz/index.x?pg=6

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page9.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page10.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page11.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page12.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page13.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page14.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page15.asp
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/intel_prescott_3.2ghz_review/page16.asp

Performance: Does it really matter that Intel?s 3.4GHz Extreme Edition is basically a souped-up workstation processor? Not really- the fact of the matter is that the new 3.4GHz Extreme Edition flies through gaming benchmarks. It?s even fast enough to best the Athlon 64 FX-51 in several situations, at which point you?re comparing Ferrari?s Enzo to Lambo?s Murcielago.

Scoring cutting-edge equipment is delicate business. On one hand, it?s impossible to deny compelling benchmark numbers. For the most part, Intel?s juggernaut trades salvos with AMD?s own battleship tit for tat. We?re going to call a draw in the performance department ? it?s just too close to call.

I don't see a lowly Athlon 64 3200+ wiping the floor with the P4EE 3.4GHz, in all benchmarks here, done when those CPU's were released, shows that the Athlon FX 53 and FX 51 are slighly faster in some situations and slighly slower in others, mostly a tie in gaming, giving the slight edge to the Athlon FX system, but in everything else, the P4 EE shines of it's own, video encoding, multi tasking, content creation, etc. Even though these CPU's were running at stock, overclocking can make a difference depending solely on the systems. Paying a 1k for this CPU really sucked, but I just paid only 80 bucks

still trying to justify buying a 4 year old processor?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
so apoppin, people say that my A64 is faster than your P4EE...it is cheaper for sure...

...and I just ran some 64-bit apps min ago

i dunno for $80 net it is a decent proc and a reasonable upgrade for my end-of-life rig



there is *always* someone with a faster CPU ... i learned not to care until my games slowed down

heck, Ev8 "justifies" his THREE-year old CPU ... even Stumps justifies that bastage of a crippled AsRock MB

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
so apoppin, people say that my A64 is faster than your P4EE...it is cheaper for sure...

...and I just ran some 64-bit apps min ago

i dunno for $80 net it is a decent proc and a reasonable upgrade for my end-of-life rig



there is *always* someone with a faster CPU ... i learned not to care until my games slowed down

heck, Ev8 "justifies" his THREE-year old CPU ... even Stumps justifies that bastage of a crippled AsRock MB

hey my PC might be crippled (the PCI-E is anyway...but who cares, I'm using AGP), but it still runs rings around everybody's AGP P4EE's and A64/X2's any day of the week...and I'm still using AGP as well.

I have tried my BFG 7800GS OC@550/1350 in my C2D setup as well...9600+ 3dmarks in 3DMark05 is fairly decent...faster than my old A64/X1950Pro setup, I haven't tried 06 yet but it should get close to 5500 easily.

 

[Stumps]

CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!!!

 

[apoppin]

sure it does ... at your resolution ... but you *still* have the same video card and system RAM as we do

. . . and you spent a LOT of time and [wasted] money for that Core2 [minimal] CPU gain



but if it makes you feel better ...

i am all for it
:thumbsup:

kinda like turbo-charging your '73 Ford Pinto
:shocked:

:beer:

:laugh:

 

[evolucion8]

Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

 

[apoppin]

there is no end to it

as long as we are all reasonably satisfied with our HW ... we do not need to criticize another's way to get there

i know Stumps is justly proud of his CPU and will have the system to build around it..
i do it very differently and so do you - we each have a rig we really like or are 'on the way' to it

what IS cool is that probably are people reading this that likes at least *one* of our methods ...

--and probably found it helpful
:Q

score some '+ Karma' for all of us

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Yeah, at 1:1 FSB, after 3.6GHz the system would become unstable. This RAM is not very overclockable, is a very low latency RAM, 2X512MB PC3200 OCZ Gold Dual Channel Kit Rev 2 I think, or Rev 1. http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m...cz_el_ddr_pc_3200_dual_channel_gold_c2 They're like this one, the only difference is that even though mine is rated at 2-3-2-6, it can do 2-2-2-5 with no problems, but low latency RAM's are not overclockable, and they do not get along that much with ASuS mobos, so that's why I want to buy PC4000.

Thats not completly true. My 2X512mb of Corsair XMS TCCD 2-2-2-5 & 2x51mb of Crucial Ballistix 2-2-2-5 will do FSB 250 / DDR 500 at 2.5-3-3-7 and 2.85V. This is on my Asus P4P800E Deluxe

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Paratus

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Yeah, at 1:1 FSB, after 3.6GHz the system would become unstable. This RAM is not very overclockable, is a very low latency RAM, 2X512MB PC3200 OCZ Gold Dual Channel Kit Rev 2 I think, or Rev 1. http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m...cz_el_ddr_pc_3200_dual_channel_gold_c2 They're like this one, the only difference is that even though mine is rated at 2-3-2-6, it can do 2-2-2-5 with no problems, but low latency RAM's are not overclockable, and they do not get along that much with ASuS mobos, so that's why I want to buy PC4000.

Thats not completly true. My 2X512mb of Corsair XMS TCCD 2-2-2-5 & 2x51mb of Crucial Ballistix 2-2-2-5 will do FSB 250 / DDR 500 at 2.5-3-3-7 and 2.85V. This is on my Asus P4P800E Deluxe

I was talking about the OCZ brand You got good ram indeed.

 

[Paratus]

Got it

Hey - I'm running the 1002 BIOS for my Mobo, would you recommend upgrading to the latest?

(And how hard is it?)

Thanks!

 

[apoppin]

BIOS flash is easy ... just don't lose power in the middle of it

IF you are running well and without issues ... no ... but read the release notes with the update - in case

 

[Paratus]

Do you have any online references to how to do it?

Asus has a bout 4 different ways to do it but I'm unsure which is the best way. (DoS utilitiy, winflash,etc)

The latest BIOS maybe worth it as it will let me lower the multiplyer for Prescotts to 14X, then I can run the memory at DDR500 1:1 without upping the voltage to the processor.

 

[Aeros]

Evo, I wonder if the pelt only kicks in during games, since we both hit high temps using ATI tools 3D View. Mine never froze up though even 100c +. I think I'll remove the stock cooler if the next one I get does the same.

Anyone know if a zalman vf900 fits this.

 

[apoppin]

Paratus, check in CPUs to be sure ... or MBs

i used the Win utility last for my Abit Ic7 ... the DOS one before it
... no experience with Asus

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

but not in games
--that OC'd GS oh-so holds back your C2D
:lips:


--and even with your x1950p ... not with a mainstream display
... just your pocket book is left for dead

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

but not in games
--that OC'd GS oh-so holds back your C2D
:lips:


--and even with your x1950p ... not with a mainstream display
... just your pocket book is left for dead

Of course it holds back my C2D...that's pretty evident after I stick my X1950pro and the benchmarks jump another 2500-3000 points.

I get 12267 3dmarks with my C2D/X1950Pro in 05 and 6329 in 06..but at resolutions below 1280x1024 the 7800GS is faster than the P4EE/A64/X1950Pro setups in games...I should really post some game benchmarks...but I'm just way too lazy and STALKER is way too much fun.

another question Apoppin...what type of monitor do you think I'm using?

 

[apoppin]

i thought it was pretty hi res ... compared to mine

what resolution do you game at?

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: apoppin
i thought it was pretty hi res ... compared to mine

what resolution do you game at?

usually 1280x1024

 

[apoppin]

OK ...

i think we will both upgrade our CPUs at the same time

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Aeros
Evo, I wonder if the pelt only kicks in during games, since we both hit high temps using ATI tools 3D View. Mine never froze up though even 100c +. I think I'll remove the stock cooler if the next one I get does the same.

Anyone know if a zalman vf900 fits this.

As far as I know, the Peltier always work in a same rate all the time, the only thing that usually adjusts itself during temperature change was the fans, may be I'm wrong. In my case the Peltier always worked, I tested it removing the Molex connector from the Peltier and the temperature even though it didn't rise any higher cause it would freeze at a certain point, the temperature increased faster that when it was connected. I'll do like you said, if the next one comes with the same issue, I also will use an aftermarket cooler, no more hassles. :|

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

but not in games
--that OC'd GS oh-so holds back your C2D
:lips:


--and even with your x1950p ... not with a mainstream display
... just your pocket book is left for dead

Of course it holds back my C2D...that's pretty evident after I stick my X1950pro and the benchmarks jump another 2500-3000 points.

I get 12267 3dmarks with my C2D/X1950Pro in 05 and 6329 in 06..but at resolutions below 1280x1024 the 7800GS is faster than the P4EE/A64/X1950Pro setups in games...I should really post some game benchmarks...but I'm just way too lazy and STALKER is way too much fun.

another question Apoppin...what type of monitor do you think I'm using?

The 7800GS is a bit slower than even a X850XT PE, so how is possible that it can outperform a X1950XT overclocked to XTX?? That card is coupled with a decent CPU, not with an Athlon XP 2500 or something. With cards like this, who is gonna play at 1024x768?? Today's games are in heavy use of Pixel Shader which the CPU doesn't help that much. Any game that is not Dual Core Optimized will not improve greatly the performance on the game and will run almost as fast as a similar configured PC with a Single Core CPU. (Of course talking about a good single core CPU). Games like Quake 4 which are optimized for HT and Dual Core, improves up to 30% in HT systems, and up to 50% to 80% in Dual Core systems when is not GPU limited. The Intel Core 2 Duo is the best gaming CPU of the market, and it can stretch greatly when coupled with a great GPU, 7800GS simply will hold it back greatly. Also I know that my CPU is holding my videocard, once I overclockit, I can minimize it, but never get rid of it.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: evolucion8

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

but not in games
--that OC'd GS oh-so holds back your C2D
:lips:


--and even with your x1950p ... not with a mainstream display
... just your pocket book is left for dead

Of course it holds back my C2D...that's pretty evident after I stick my X1950pro and the benchmarks jump another 2500-3000 points.

I get 12267 3dmarks with my C2D/X1950Pro in 05 and 6329 in 06..but at resolutions below 1280x1024 the 7800GS is faster than the P4EE/A64/X1950Pro setups in games...I should really post some game benchmarks...but I'm just way too lazy and STALKER is way too much fun.

another question Apoppin...what type of monitor do you think I'm using?

The 7800GS is a bit slower than even a X850XT PE, so how is possible that it can outperform a X1950XT overclocked to XTX?? That card is coupled with a decent CPU, not with an Athlon XP 2500 or something. With cards like this, who is gonna play at 1024x768?? Today's games are in heavy use of Pixel Shader which the CPU doesn't help that much. Any game that is not Dual Core Optimized will not improve greatly the performance on the game and will run almost as fast as a similar configured PC with a Single Core CPU. (Of course talking about a good single core CPU). Games like Quake 4 which are optimized for HT and Dual Core, improves up to 30% in HT systems, and up to 50% to 80% in Dual Core systems when is not GPU limited. The Intel Core 2 Duo is the best gaming CPU of the market, and it can stretch greatly when coupled with a great GPU, 7800GS simply will hold it back greatly. Also I know that my CPU is holding my videocard, once I overclockit, I can minimize it, but never get rid of it.

Quite simple...the X1950XT IS bottlenecked by the P4EE and doesn't perform anywhere near it's full potential....when I had my 7800GS in my C2D...it was not bottlenecked and is able to reach it's full potental...even out performing my A64@2.87ghz with a X1950pro...abeit by a small margin.

My point is that the X1950 AGP series cards are still bottlenecked with single core setups like the P4EE and A64...I had a huge increase in performance when I went from a A64@2.87ghz to a E4300@2.66ghz, even with one core disabled, the C2D leaves the P4EE and A64 for dead.

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Stumps

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Even though he has a more powerful CPU, our videocards would simply smoke the 7800GS even though we have a 3 years old Netbust based CRIPPLED architecture CPU!! CRIPPLE FIGHT!!!

you missed the point...even with my oc'd 7800GS ...a C2D is faster than an overclocked P4EE or A64 with a X1950Pro in benchmarks...with my Sapphire X1950pro, it completly leaves the P4EE for dead.

but not in games
--that OC'd GS oh-so holds back your C2D
:lips:


--and even with your x1950p ... not with a mainstream display
... just your pocket book is left for dead

Of course it holds back my C2D...that's pretty evident after I stick my X1950pro and the benchmarks jump another 2500-3000 points.

I get 12267 3dmarks with my C2D/X1950Pro in 05 and 6329 in 06..but at resolutions below 1280x1024 the 7800GS is faster than the P4EE/A64/X1950Pro setups in games...I should really post some game benchmarks...but I'm just way too lazy and STALKER is way too much fun.

another question Apoppin...what type of monitor do you think I'm using?

The 7800GS is a bit slower than even a X850XT PE, so how is possible that it can outperform a X1950XT overclocked to XTX?? That card is coupled with a decent CPU, not with an Athlon XP 2500 or something. With cards like this, who is gonna play at 1024x768?? Today's games are in heavy use of Pixel Shader which the CPU doesn't help that much. Any game that is not Dual Core Optimized will not improve greatly the performance on the game and will run almost as fast as a similar configured PC with a Single Core CPU. (Of course talking about a good single core CPU). Games like Quake 4 which are optimized for HT and Dual Core, improves up to 30% in HT systems, and up to 50% to 80% in Dual Core systems when is not GPU limited. The Intel Core 2 Duo is the best gaming CPU of the market, and it can stretch greatly when coupled with a great GPU, 7800GS simply will hold it back greatly. Also I know that my CPU is holding my videocard, once I overclockit, I can minimize it, but never get rid of it.

Quite simple...the X1950XT IS bottlenecked by the P4EE and doesn't perform anywhere near it's full potential....when I had my 7800GS in my C2D...it was not bottlenecked and is able to reach it's full potental...even out performing my A64@2.87ghz with a X1950pro...abeit by a small margin.

My point is that the X1950 AGP series cards are still bottlenecked with single core setups like the P4EE and A64...I had a huge increase in performance when I went from a A64@2.87ghz to a E4300@2.66ghz, even with one core disabled, the C2D leaves the P4EE and A64 for dead.

You are contradicting yourself, first you said that the C2D with the 7800GS outperformed the X1950PRO by a small margin, now you said that the performance increase was huge that left even a P4EE and A64 gaming rig for dead, ?? Yeah, pretty sure that your system is two times faster than mine in gaming performance :disgust: (Sarcasm)