My AoE3 Framerates compared to [H] 7600GT review

I read the review a couple days ago of the BFG 7600GT. Here is a link for any that might have missed it. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1055590

First off here is a comparison of my machine and the test machine in the review:

My Machine
Opteron 170
2GB OCZ DDR RAM ( my OCZ RAM even has slightly better timings)
nForce4 MB ( 6.7 chipset drivers )
74GB Raptor HD
7800GT (450/1050)
Forceware 84.21
Nothing on my machine is OCed.

Review Machine
FX-60
2GB RAM
nForce4 MB
74GB Raptor HD
7600GT
Forceware 84.43

Now when they ran AoE3 they got an average framerate of 41-42 FPS. When I run the game with my 7800GT I only get about 36 FPS and I have a better graphics card. What gives? I have all the game patches and OS patches. I ran the same settings they used only I turned off the AA, and I still couldnt match the framerates they were getting. i reinstalled Windows not too long ago and everything seems to run fine. I have done spyware/antivirus checks. Everything seems to be fine.

Does the better CPU get them the better framerates? My CPU utilization is only at 30 - 40% when I run the game. ( 60 - 80% of one core ) I guess it could be the drivers but shouldnt I be getting better framerates?

Can anyone else with similar hardware try these settings out and test with FRAPS to see what kind of framerates you guys get? I would be open to suggestions! Thanks.

The obvious question would be are you running the same driver sets as the hard review? (I know the answer, but did you try the same driver set?)

Nope not yet. I might when I get home tonight. I guess I didnt figure that an update to a beta driver would get me a 15 - 20 FPS gain in a faily new game.

At 1024x768 your probably more cpu limited than gpu, that would be my geuss.

Well it seems that when I turn AA on low I accually gain about 5 FPS or so over having AA off. I am assuming that this is becuase when the AA gets turned on the HDR gets turned off, which is evidently more demanding than Low AA. I suppose the rest of the FPS are because of the FX-60 and maybe a frame or two if the drivers are better. Guess I'll have to live with it till I get a better card.