PCMark 2002 Pro is an intriguing system benchmark, as it relates more to basic computer usage. Instead of relying on synthetic scores or actual business applications, it cuts a swath between the two methodologies. PCMark 2002 Pro performs CPU tasks such as image compression, text search and audio conversion, while combining this with a selection of similar benchmarks for memory, hard drive and video components. As we are dealing specifically with motherboard and sub-system performance, the areas we will be looking at are the CPU, Memory and Hard Drive Scores.
The PCMark 2002 CPU scores are almost an exact duplicate of the previous SiSoft SANDRA benchmarking. The top three continue to be the EPoX, MSI and ASUS boards, with these being the only products that broke the 5200 mark. The structure on the bottom end continues to be quite stable, with ECS and Soyo finishing below AOpen and ABIT.
The way PCMark 2002 Pro actually performs the memory tests is different than other benchmarks (such as SiSoft SANDRA), as it tests the system using a wide array of data sets, and of varying sizes. This makes it a good test for a wide variety of potential real-world uses and comparing results to SANDRA memory testing can usually yield an overall winner. This benchmark roundup is much the same, as EPoX finishes at the top of the heap once again, followed by MSI, ABIT and ASUS.
The PCMark 2002 Hard Drives test is another method of comparing motherboard performance, but keep in mind the scores are extremely dependant on the brand and model of hard drive and cannot be compared with the different models. We're keeping the hard drive component the same across all platforms, so that comparisons are possible. Once again we find EPoX riding at the top of the wave, but the boards that follow it may surprise a few. ECS finishes second, with Soyo not far behind. Certainly the results are not that far apart, but they were consistent and repeatable.
