PCMark 2004 Pro is a much-needed upgrade to the standard 2002 version, and along with adapting to the ever-changing hardware world, FutureMark has also added some new tests. The PCMark 2004 design still cuts a line between purely synthetic and application-based benchmarks, and provides a more general view of computer performance. PCMark 2004 performs general use tasks such as image compression, grammar check, and audio conversion, while combining this with a selection of similar benchmarks for individual system components. As we're dealing with processors and subsystem performance, the main tests we'll be looking at are the System, CPU and Memory results.
The PCMark 2004 System benchmark tends to favor the Intel side, with the Pentium 4 processors hitting all the top scores. The Pentium 4-3.4E manages to edge its 3.4 GHz Northwood sibling, and both really take it to the Athlon 64 3400+. The Pentium 4 Extreme Editions rule the roost in this benchmark, but the Pentium 4-3.4E has closed the gap. One key element of the PCMark 2004 suite is its use of multi-threaded tests, which gives the Intel Hyper-Threading processors a chance to really shine in the System and CPU performance sections.
It much the same story in PCMark Pro 2004 CPU testing, with the Intel contingent posting the highest overall scores. The Pentium 4-3.4E does manage to squeeze out a win against the Pentium 4-3.4C GHz, while blowing past the Athlon 64 3400+. As with the System portion of the benchmark, the PCMark 2004 CPU test utilizes multi-threading, and allows Pentium 4 HT-enabled processors a noticeable advantage against the AMD competition.
PCMark 2004 Memory benchmark testing evens the overall rankings, but just as we witnessed in SiSoft SANDRA, the 1-MB cache of the Pentium 4-3.4E does help it perform at a higher level, and its PCMark 2004 memory performance is better than the corresponding Northwood. This is another area where the single-channel DDR400 controller of the Athlon 64 3400+ costs AMD in terms of memory bandwidth, allowing the Pentium 4-3.4E to build a substantial lead.
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