Testbed Configuration

We performed all our experiments on the following test platform:

• Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R, rev. 1.6 (LGA1366, Intel X58 Express + ICH10R, FB BIOS version);
• CPU: Intel Core i7-920 (2.66 GHz, 133 MHz base frequency, 8 MB L3 cache, Bloomfield, rev. C0, 1.225 V Vcore);
• Memory: 3 x 1024 MB DDR3 Kingston HyperX DDR3-1866, KHX14900D3T1K3/3GX, (1866 MHz, 9-9-9-27, 1.65 V voltage);
• Graphics card: ATI Radeon HD 4890 (RV790, 55 nm, 900/3600 MHz, 256-bit GDDR5 1024 MB);
• Storage subsystem: two Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS HDDs (300 GB, SATA II, 10,000 RPM, 16 MB);
• Optical drive: Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7173A DVD±RW;
• CPU cooler: Cooler Master GeminII (120 mm Crown AGE12025F12J fan, PWM, 22000 RPM max.);
• Thermal interface: Zalman CSL 850;
• PSU: OCZ GameXStream OCZGXS700 (700 W) with Zalman ZM-F3 fan;
• Case: Antec Skeleton.

We used Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (Microsoft Windows, Version 6.1, Build 7600) operating system, a set of chipset drivers version 9.1.0.1012, and ATI Catalyst 9.7 graphics card driver.

I would like to bring to your attention the fact that we continue to upgrade our testbed. This time the changes touched upon the software part of our platform. Namely, we switched from Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate to Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate. I use Windows 7 on my home computer system since the end of last year. Release candidate came to replace the beta version, then came out an even newer version of the OS, but I discovered no serious issues with this operating system over the entire period of time that I have been using it. Since the official launch day is getting close and this OS promises to become very popular among computer users, this transition seems to be happening in the right moment, as it will allow us to prepare for all upcoming innovations.