The Pentium 4-3.2E GHz and 3.4 GHz Extreme Edition processors are both high-end performance CPUs, so we're keeping the competition in the same bracket. Not only will we be pitting these new processors against the current AMD Athlon 64 FX-51 and Athlon 64 3400+ high-end, and Athlon XP 3200+ mainstream, but also testing them alongside the current Intel crop. These Intel models include the Pentium 4 3.2 GHz Extreme Edition, and the Pentium 4-3.0 and 3.2 GHz Northwood models.
The system platforms are a bit of the old and new, and since the Pentium 4-3.2E GHz Prescott is a just-released processor, we have tested the Intel side using the recommended Intel D875PBZ motherboard, to ensure full CPU compatibility and consistent benchmark comparisons. The Athlon 64 3400+ uses a powerful VIA K8T800 motherboard, the Athlon 64 FX-51 features the standard nForce3 Pro150 platform, and the Athlon XP 3200+ keeps with a de facto nForce2. This setup is optimal for benchmark testing, as it gives the CPUs the needed platform architecture to hit their potential, and ensures that none are lagging behind due to platform issues.
The default hard disk configuration is set for RAID 0 striping, using dual-Seagate SATA 7200 RPM drives for the Pentium 4, Athlon 64 3400+, and Athlon XP 3200+ systems, and a similar WD setup carrying the load for the Athlon 64 FX-51's. Our primary video is the fastest available, and the ATI Radeon 9800XT certainly has the power to ensure that 3D video performance shouldn't be a limiting factor in testing. The operating system is Windows XP Pro SP1, along with DirectX 9.0b installed.
The benchmark list once again features a wide range of system, CPU, memory, and gaming tests. These include the new revisions of Business Winstone 2004, Content Creation Winstone 2004, PCMark 2004 and SiSoft SANDRA 2004, TMPGEnc Plus for MPEG-1 and -2 encoding, along with popular 3D game tests like AquaMark 3, Unreal Tournament 2003, 3DMark 2003, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. X2 Demo, Quake 3, and Comanche 4. Our default game benchmark setting is 1024x768x32, which is demanding enough for comparisons and more realistic as an actual gameplay resolution, but is still prime territory for CPU-related testing.
* Please note that unless otherwise stated, all performance graph results equate to the standard "higher is better" routine.
Pentium 4 Reference System:
Processors: Pentium 4 3.2E, 3.4 GHz EE, 3.2 GHz EE, 3.2 GHz and 3.0 GHz
Memory: 2 x 512-MB DDR400 DIMM
Motherboard: Intel D875PBZ
Motherboard chip set: Intel 875P
ATI reference drivers: Catalyst 3.10
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800XT 256-MB
Hard-Drive: Dual Seagate ST3160023AS Hard Drives in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen Combo Drive
Power Supply: Sparkle 400 Watt
DirectX 9.0b
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP1
General Settings:
Desktop Resolution: 1024x768
Color Depth: 32-bit
V-Sync: Disabled
Athlon 64 3400+ Reference System:
Processor: Athlon 64 3400+
Memory: 2 x 512-MB DDR400 DIMM
Motherboard: MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R
Motherboard chip set: VIA K8T800
ATI reference drivers: Catalyst 3.10
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800XT 256-MB
Hard-Drive: Dual Western Digital Hard Drives (8-MB) in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen Combo Drive
Power Supply: Sparkle 400 Watt
DirectX 9.0b
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP1
Athlon 64 FX-51 Reference System:
Processor: Athlon 64 FX-51
Memory: 2 x 512-MB Registered DDR400 DIMM
Motherboard: ASUS SK8N Deluxe
Motherboard chip set: nForce3 Pro150
ATI reference drivers: Catalyst 3.10
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800XT 256-MB
Hard-Drive: Dual Western Digital Hard Drives (8-MB) in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: Sony DVD-ROM
Power Supply: ANTEC 430 Watt
DirectX 9.0b
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP1
Athlon XP 3200+ Reference System:
Processors: Athlon XP 3200+
Memory: 2 x 512-MB DDR400 DIMM
Motherboard: ASUS A7N8X Deluxe
Motherboard chip set: NVIDIA nForce2
ATI reference drivers: Catalyst 3.10
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800XT 256-MB
Hard-Drive: Dual Seagate ST3160023AS Hard Drives (8-MB) in RAID 0 Mode
IDE Interface: Serial ATA-150
CD/DVD: AOpen Combo Drive
Power Supply: Sparkle 400 Watt
DirectX 9.0b
Operating System: Windows XP Pro SP1
Quake III Arena Test Specifics
Version: 1.30 (retail)
V-Sync: Disabled
Sound Disabled
Video Modes Tested :
High Quality: Defaults
3DMark 2003 Specifics:
Version 1.0 Patched 340
GunMetal Benchmark Specifics:
Version 1.20S
SiSoft SANDRA 2004
Content Creation: Winstone 2004 Test Specifics:
Version: 1.0
Business Winstone 2004 Test Specifics:
Version 1.0
