PCMark 2004 Pro is a much-needed upgrade to the previous 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 subsystem performance, the main tests we'll be looking at are the System and Memory results.
The PCMark 2004 System benchmark testing shows the ASUS and MSI i875P boards at the top of the list, with the other i875P motherboards showing up close behind. The real surprise is the high showing of the ASUS P4P800 Deluxe, which moves up to third and falls in with the mid-range i875P boards. The entry-level Soyo i865PE Dragon 2 finishes just ahead of the ASUS P4P800S-E Deluxe, though the differential is quite small.
The PCMark 2004 Memory scores are spread out a bit more, with the same basic hierarchy as the System testing. The MSI and AUS i875P motherboards once again lead the charge, and ASUS P4P800 Deluxe again shows how the MAM feature can increase basic memory performance. The ASUS P4P800S-E Deluxe, being a single-channel DDR system, also gives us an opportunity to see how a higher DDR clock speed impacts performance. Using standard PC3200 DDR, it falls well behind the Soyo i865PE Dragon 2, but the extra bandwidth of PC4200 pulls it up almost even. This is a bit different than the dual-channel DDR i875P and i865PE platforms, which match the CPU bandwidth requirements and at 800 MHz, don't really benefit from higher DDR clock speeds.
SiSoft SANDRA 2004 is the latest revision of this popular system benchmark, but it sticks to its roots and supplies a wide range of individual benchmarks and system utilities. The memory bandwidth tests are the most popular section of the SiSoft SANDRA benchmark suite, and highlight the potential performance levels of the motherboard's CPU-memory subsystem.
The SANDRA Integer memory bandwidth testing shows the same basic placement as PCMark 2004, but with a few changes. ASUS and MSI lead the i875P competition, and the ASUS P4P800 Deluxe may fall down one place, but still matches up nicely with the mid-range i875P boards. The Soyo i865PE Dragon 2 also shows a bit more legs with SANDRA 2004, and handily outpaces the single-channel DDR-based ASUS P4P800S-E Deluxe, even using PC4200.
The SiSoft SANDRA 2003 Floating Point Bandwidth rankings follow the same trend line, and just show the flipside of the same coin. The individual memory architectures and BIOS features really show up well in the performance chart, and gives the nod to those manufacturers who give the enthusiast a bit more in terms of memory performance.
