Since the contest is based on the CPU benchmark in the 3DMark06 software I was too worried about the video card. The video card only really impacts the SM2 and SM3 tests (shader model 2 and 3) so the impact was expected to be negligible.
The 7900GS does overclock nicely and tests showed significant improvements in the SM2 and SM3 scores, but higher speeds also reduced stability and had no measurable effect on the CPU score. In the end the 7900GS was left at stock speeds and performed like a champ. If 3DMark06 was gonna crash it was going to do it during the CPU benchmark.
The 7900GS was also one of the last 7000 series designs produced by Nvidia and benefits from a generaling cooler running chip set, another plus in a performance box targeting CPU score. The clincher was the fact that I had a 7900GS sitting on the shelf. Ya just can't beat free when building a low cost box.
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