CPU Performance

The Core i7 920 averaged 39fps at 1680x1050 using maximum visual settings with 4xAA/16xAF enabled. However we just learned from the CPU scaling results on the previous page that overclocking the Core i7 920 to 3.71GHz can yield 23% more performance, and this will likely be the case for the Core i5 750 as well.
The Phenom II X4 965 was a little slower with 35fps on average, followed by the Phenom II X6 1090T (33fps) and the Phenom II X2 555 (31fps).
Based on our findings, Splinter Cell: Conviction does not utilize quad-core processors very well, with only about 50% utilization on the Core i5 750, for example. On the other hand, we saw indications that dual-core processors, such as the Core i3 540, will see 100% utilization, so ultimately gamers will be better off with a quad-core to ensure a constant level of performance.