SFF Roundup, Part I: Socket 478 and 754 Systems
by Jarred Walton on February 15, 2005 2:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Benchmark Setup
Before we get to the benchmark scores, let us reiterate that the total performance level of the systems as configured is not a major factor in our reviews of these systems. The CPUs used are not the fastest models available, and we're really just verifying that none of the units have any major performance issues. While we only have a single socket 754 unit in this roundup, it is there as a baseline measurement, so if we receive any additional units based on that platform in the future, they will be compared with each other.Our test configuration is as follows:
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0GHz 1MB cache) Socket 754 Intel Pentium 4 3.0C/ES (3.0GHz 512KB cache) Socket 478 |
| RAM: | 2 x 512MB OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2 |
| Hard Drive(s): | Seagate 120GB 7200 RPM IDE (8MB Buffer) Seagate 80GB 7200 RPM SATA (8MB Buffer) |
| Video AGP & IDE Bus Master Drivers: | nVidia nForce 5.10 WHQL Intel 6.3.0 SiS AGP 1.19a; IDE 2.04a |
| Video Card(s): | Sapphire (ATI) X800 Pro AGP VIVO |
| Video Drivers: | ATI Catalyst 5.1 without CCC Intel 865G 14.10 SiS UniVGA 3.60 (from Foxconn) |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| SFF Systems: | Aopen XC Cube AV EA65-II ASUS Terminator T2-P Deluxe Commercial Biostar iDEQ 210P (AMD Socket 754) Foxconn e-bot Shuttle XPC SB61G2 V3.0 |
All systems used DIMMS with Samsung TCCD chips running 2-2-2-5 timings, except for the iDEQ, which ran with 2-2-2-10 timings. The X800 Pro graphics card was used as a system stress component to verify the ability of the various units to support a reasonably high-end GPU. For the noise tests, either the integrated graphics were used or else a fanless GeForce MX440 AGP card was installed. Performance testing without the X800 Pro was not performed on all systems, but a quick test with a couple of units showed that the performance in standard business applications was close enough to the performance with the X800 Pro, so we did not rerun all tests.
As we have stated, we feel that the primary use will be office, HTPC, or perhaps portable gaming, so we haven't looked at running any workstation benchmarks on the systems. True workstations generally require a professional level graphics card, and our SFF lab is currently lacking such a part. Since we are running a reduced set of benchmarks for our SFF reviews, if you have any strong feelings about additional tests you would like to see run, please let us know. This is the first such article, and if there is sufficient demand for other benchmarks, we will do our best to go back and include them.
For the graphs, all of the Intel systems will use blue-colored bars and the sole AMD system will be colored green. This is not meant as a comparison between AMD and Intel, but the AMD socket 754 3200+ is priced similarly to the Intel socket 478 3.0C. While most of the systems will support faster processors, check the features pages to make sure; not all systems can officially support the Intel 3.4E Prescott chips.
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JarredWalton - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
#21 - We're working on getting the Iwill dual-CPU system. We'll see what Iwill has to say. :)#19 - The unit reviewed was the EA65-II. There is an EA65-IIa as well as an EA65-IIa 2.0. The only difference between the IIa models is the version of InstantON included, and I believe you can download the latest version and turn the IIa into the IIa 2.0. Does that make sense? Also, I don't think the IIa is available in the US yet, but should be within the next month or two.
If you don't mind a spoiler (yeah, right), the Pentium M desktop/HTPC that I have for review is louder than the SFFs in this roundup (other than the e-bot). However, it is a fully configured and loaded system with two HDDs, a 6800GT, etc. I've checked with the manufacturer about the noise levels and will see if I can get it reduced. Right now, the HSF is really huge - it looks like a Pentium 4 HSF, which is probably overkill for the Pentium M 2.0.
On a side note, if you haven't seen the die of the Dothan, it's REALLY SMALL! About half the size of a dime. Pretty crazy to see that much power in such a small size.
SUOrangeman - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
Request the Iwill ZMAXdp ($675 at NewEgg) for the next SFF piece! :)GoatHerderEd - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
NM, the firewire is on the front. I still thing there should be a port or two on the back though.silentcomputing - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
Nice job, Jarred.I am interesting in the Aopen EA65-IIa, but got confused about the new model name. You mentioned the new model is EA65-IIa first, but followed by EA64-IIa.... Is it a typo or is Aopen going to release AMD64 version of the EA in the near future.
When do you think you can have the P-M on desktop review?? I can't wait to have one... enough for the noise from any of my computers...including Shuttle and Dell..... :(
GoatHerderEd - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
#12, Wow, I got the Shuttle SN95G. But I really want that Iwill dual Opteron! That thing looks so sweet! No fire wire though )=#8, Why do you say the SN95G is unreliable? I think its pretty good. Boot up time isnt as fast as my Nforce2 XP 1800+, but its faster otherwise.
LoneWolf15 - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
Now that it looks like AMD is coming out with additional Socket 754 Sempron CPU's, the Biostar really looks like a good choice. It's not like one needs huge CPU power for a HTPC, as long as it does a good job of encoding/decoding, and the Sempron should also run fairly cool. Add a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-150/250 and a discrete ATI graphics card (for additional hardware-assist MPEG-2 playback and VIVO) and it looks to be a really good choice.smn198 - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
I've said it before but would it be possible to present the non-linear noise measurements on a non-linear scale?That would more accurately show that with the IGP, the foxconn is over twice as loud as the others.
Don't mean to seem critical. Great read. That is why I keep coming back.
#3. Read the first few paragraphs of the review. Besides, it is very cheap now.
smn198 - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
"Shuttle is able to use a single fan to fool both the CPU as well as the case"I've been trying that for years but have never successfully managed to fool them both at once!
CrystalBay - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
Thanks JW, Iknow it's a lot to ask.JarredWalton - Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - link
11, 12 - I'll have to see about those two units. For the Iwill, at least, they would either need to send processors or I would have to get some sent from AT HQ. I don't have any server parts at my location for testing.