Disk Controller Performance

We have utilized the Intel iPeak test for the past few years to measure "pure" hard disk or controller performance on Windows XP. Unfortunately, iPeak is not compatible with Vista so we will utilize two sections of the HDD test suite within PCMark05 for comparative hard disk or controller scores. This particular test suite provides a mixture of actual application results and specific read/write percentages within these programs. It is also a readily available benchmark that others can use for comparative purposes. The program utilizes the RankDisk application within the Intel iPeak SPT suite of tools to record a trace of disk activity during usage of real world applications. These traces are then replayed within PCMark05 to generate performance measurements based upon the actual disk operations within each application. The HDD test suite contains 53% read and 47% write operations with each trace section utilizing varied amounts of read or write operations. Additional information about the test suite can be downloaded in PDF format from this location.

The PCMark05 test results we are utilizing are based upon the following trace runs:

Application Loading: This test consists of 83% reading and 17% writes that tracks the opening and closing of the following programs.
  • Microsoft Word
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Windows Media Player
  • 3Dmark 2001SE
  • Leadtek WinFast DVD
  • Mozilla Internet Browser
General Hard Disk Drive Usage: This test consists of 60% reading and 40% writes that tracks application usage utilizing the following settings.
  • Opening a Microsoft Word document, performing grammar check, saving and closing
  • Compression and decompression using WinZip
  • Encrypting and decrypting a file using PowerCrypt
  • Scanning files for viruses using F-Secure Antivirus
  • Playing an MP3 file with Winamp
  • Playing a WAV file with Winamp
  • Playing a DivX video using the DivX codec and Windows Media Player
  • Playing a WMV video file using Windows Media Player
  • Viewing pictures using Windows Picture Viewer
  • Browsing the Internet using Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Loading, playing and exiting a game with Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
General System Performance

General System Performance

General System Performance

The performance pattern in these tests indicates what we witnessed in actual application testing. In tests that are heavily dependent on the storage system, the Intel ICH9 performed better although the differences are generally minimal.

Gaming Performance Ethernet Performance
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  • Brick88 - Thursday, August 30, 2007 - link

    doesn't anyone feel that AMD is cutting itself short? Yes Intel is their primary competitor but by not producing an igp chipset for intel based processors, they are cutting themselves out of a big market. Intel ships the majority of processors and AMD will need every single stream of revenue to compete with Intel.
  • bunga28 - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - link

    Charles Dickens would roll over his grave if he saw you comparing these 2 boards by paraphrasing his work.
  • Myrandex - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    I don't knwo why they would ever put that name on the board. the fact that it is getting beat by a ASRock motherboard in gaming performance is pathetic, since that name is supposed to be all about gaming (no offense to the ASRockers out there, as they aren't bad boards I have more experience with them then fatal1ty's anyways).
  • Etern205 - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    On the "abit Fatality F-I90HD: Feature Set" page,
    that Abit EQ software interface of a car looks
    familar one of those real models.

    Like this one
    <img>http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8490/toyotafjhh...">http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/8490/toyotafjhh...

    source:
    http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2006...">http://www.automobilemag.com/new_car_previews/2006...
  • strikeback03 - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    I was thinking Hummer, either way...
  • Etern205 - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    Not really because the face of a Hummer is different
    than the one from Toyota. The face of a Hummer has
    vertical grill bars, while the Toyota does not.
  • strikeback03 - Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - link

    However the Hummer has the full-width chrome fascia, the Toyota has a part-width sorta satin chrome thing.

    I highly doubt they licensed an image of either, so it can't look exactly like any vehicle. I remember a lawsuit between Jeep and Hummer over the 7 vertical slots in eachother's grilles several years ago.
  • eBauer - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    Why are the Xpress 1250 systems running tighter timings (4-4-4-12) where the G33 system is running looser timings (5-5-5-12)?
  • strikeback03 - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    quote:

    All of our boards were able to run 4GB of OCZ HPC Reaper at DDR2-800 speeds on 2.04V or less. Our optimal timings for the two X1250 boards were 4-4-4-12 while we had to run at 5-5-5-15 on the MSI G33M board. The MSI board did not care for CAS4 settings with 4GB installed but the overall memory results are still very competitive. In fact, the Sandra unbuffered scores are around 12% better than our X1250 boards and in a couple of our application benchmarks that rely on memory throughput and low latencies, this advantage will be apparent.


    Top of page 8
  • Mazen - Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - link

    I have a 6000+ (gift) and I am just wondering whether I should go with a 690G or wait for nvidia's upcoming MCP 78. Can't wait for the 690G review... thoughts anyone?

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