Introducing the New Phenom II 980 BE vs. Core i7-920 – value meets performance again

X3: Terran Conflict

X3:Terran Conflict (X3:TC) is another beautiful stand-alone benchmark that runs multiple tests and will really strain a lot of older video cards. X3:TC is a space trading and combat simulator from Egosoft and is the most recent of their X-series of computer games.

X3:TC is a standalone expansion of X3: Reunion, based in the same universe and on the same engine. It complements the story of previous games in the X-Universe and especially continues the events after the end of X3: Reunion. Compared to Reunion, Terran Conflict features a larger universe, more ships, and of course, new missions. The X-Universe is huge. The Terran faction was added with their own set of technology including powerful ships and stations. Many new weapons systems were developed for the expansion and it has generally received good reviews. It has a rather steep learning curve.

First we note the results at 1920×1200 and 2560×1600 with completely maxed out settings plus 8xAA; super-widescreen resolutions work only fair and we did not bench with it.

The only practical advantage that the Core i7-920 has is in the minimum frame rates.  And it also stumbles badly at times when the screen is packed with action.