Performance

For our performance review, we've assembled all the main CPU contenders, including the Pentium 4-2.2, 2.0A and 2.0 GHz models, as well as the Athlon XP 1900+ and 2000+. The Intel 850 (RDRAM) and i845D (DDR) were the logical matches for the Pentium 4 portion, while we decided to spice things up by comparing them against the impressive nForce platform. After much consideration, we have also moved the test platforms to Windows XP Pro. Although benchmarking is a bit more challenging using XP, it is the operating system included with most new systems and it only makes sense to give buyers the best overall picture.

These factors make the performance tests into a real Shootout at the OK Corral, with the biggest and best from both Intel and AMD facing off to see who the fastest gun is. Will Intel's 512K speed demon best the Athlon XP 2000+ or will the platform choice be the telling factor?

Test Systems

General Settings
Desktop
Resolution: 1024x768
Color Depth: 16-bit
V-Sync: Disabled

Intel i850 - Intel D850MD Motherboard
Processors: 2.2, 2.0A and 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4
Memory: 256 MB Kingston PC800 RDRAM
Motherboard: Intel D850MD
Motherboard chip set: Intel 850
INTEL specific drivers:
IDE Interface: 6.20
AGP Miniport: 3.20.1008
NVIDIA reference drivers: 23.11
Video Card: NVIDIA reference VisionTek GeForce3 Ti 500
Hard-Drive: IBM 30GB Deskstar 7200RPM DMA/100
IDE Interface: Ultra ATA/100
Sound: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live
CD/DVD: Panasonic DVD-ROM
Power Supply: Antec 300 Watt
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

Intel i845D - Intel D845BG Motherboard
Processors: 2.2, 2.0A and 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4
Memory: 256 MB Kingston PC800 RDRAM
Motherboard: Intel D845BG
Motherboard chip set: Intel 845D
INTEL specific drivers:
IDE Interface: 6.20
AGP Miniport: 3.20.1008
NVIDIA reference drivers: 23.11
Video Card: NVIDIA reference VisionTek GeForce3 Ti 500
Hard-Drive: IBM 30GB Deskstar 7200RPM DMA/100
IDE Interface: Ultra ATA/100
Sound: Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live
CD/DVD: Panasonic DVD-ROM
Power Supply: Antec 300 Watt
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

NVIDIA nForce - NVIDIA Reference Motherboard
Processor: Athlon XP 1900+ and 2000+
Memory: 256 MB PC2400 DIMM
Motherboard: NVIDIA Reference
Motherboard chip set: NVIDIA nFor
ce nForce Drivers: 1.0
NVIDIA reference drivers: 23.11
Video Card: VisionTek GeForce3 Ti 500
Hard-Drive: IBM 30GB Deskstar 7200RPM DMA/100
IDE Interface: Ultra ATA/100
Sound: Integrated
CD/DVD: Panasonic DVD-ROM
Power Supply: Antec 300 Watt
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

VIA KT266A - EpoX 8KHA+
Processor: Athlon XP 1900+ and 2000+
Memory: 256 MB PC2400 DIMM
Motherboard: EpoX 8KHA+
Motherboard chip set: VIA KT266A
VIA Drivers: 4.37
NVIDIA reference drivers: 23.11
Video Card: VisionTek GeForce3 Ti 500
Hard-Drive: IBM 30GB Deskstar 7200RPM DMA/100
IDE Interface: Ultra ATA/100
Sound: Integrated
CD/DVD: Panasonic DVD-ROM
Power Supply: Antec 300 Watt
Operating System: Windows XP Pro

Quake III Arena Test Specifics
Version: 1.30 (retail)
V-Sync: Disabled
Sound Disabled
Video Modes Tested:
Normal: Defaults, 16-bit
High Quality: Defaults
Max: High Quality Default, Geometric Detail: Maximum, Texture Detail: Maximum

Content Creation: Winstone 2001 Test Specifics
Version: 1.0.2

Business Winstone 2002 Test Specifics
Version 1.0.0