VII. Processor Compatibility and Performance Comparison

In this next installment of the review, I will focus on the compatibility feature of the motherboard. It is not common for IntelŪ-based motherboard that several processors are used to test compatibility. But since this is a 3rd party chipset, I feel that a broad range of processors must be used to ensure the stability of the product.

For this portion of continuation of the review, I will use two more processors:

• IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 520ES (2.8GHz/1MB/800MHz/HT)
• IntelŪ PentiumŪ D 840ES@820 (3.2GHz@2.8GHz/2x1MB/800MHz/DC)

The reason for changing the speed of the IntelŪ PentiumŪ D 840ES is to emulate a similar or near similar clock speed compared to the previous processor used in the first part of the review: IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 510ES ((2.8GHz/1MB/533MHz).

VIII. IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 520ES (2.8GHz/1MB/800MHz/HT)

::Subsystem Test::

PCMark02

PCMark04

PCMark05

Sandra-CPU

Sandra-Multimedia

Sandra-RAM Bandwidth

::3D Test::

3DMark01SE

3DMark03

3DMark05

3DMark06

At PCMark02, there seems to be any significant improvement on the processor result, though memory bench shows there's an improvement, which should be understandble since the memory are running at their rated speed, rather than on a reduced frequency when used on an IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 510ES. At most, less than 1% improvement is seen. PCMark02 isn't geared for multiple CPU operation, so this benchmark should be good if you are using applications that isn't optimized for multi-threading. As the result shows, since the two processors has near identical processor speed, there isn't any noticeable change in CPU scores.

However, at PCMark04 and PCMark05, there is almost 12% and 10% improvement. This shows the strength of IntelŪ Hyperthreading technology in action. PCMark04 and PCMark05 has multi-threading tests in its slew of default benchmarks, and the results didn't dissapoint. The motherboard is able to utilize the processor's capabilities and features, ensuring that this motherboard will provide problem-free operation.

SiSoft Sandra results are to be expected, and all tests (CPU, Multimedia, Memory Bandwidth) all proves that this processor performs better, and only suggests that this motherboard is capable of handling such bandwidth if a proper processor is matched with it.

With the 3DMark series of benchmark, only 3DMark01SE is able to show much difference between the two processors on the same board. However, even though 3DMark03/3DMark05/3DMark06 are all graphics-tied benchmark, all scores emphasized what PCMark and Sandra scores shows: the motherboard supports the processor features and can work problem-free with 800MHz processor and DDR400 memory.