Page 2: Benchmarks and Conclusion
<B>Benchmarks</B>:
Test System:
I wanted to test this CPU from a purely upgrading stand point. I had a 2.4C GHz previously in my system, so I figured to test it again that as I was upgrading that. Overclocking will come in the next article.
Abit IS7-E (The E means CHEAP!)
512MB Crucial PC3200
Radeon 9500 Pro
And a bunch of other standard stuff that really doesn't matter in the long run (you know what I mean).
Everything was run at 640x480 at the lowest possible detail setting to test the CPU and not the graphics card. In all benchmarks, red denotes the 3GHz while the gray denotes the 2.4GHz.
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First up is the always popular 3D Mark 2001 330. All the games were run at the low detail settings. This is a DirectX 8 benchmark. As you can see, the extra 600 MHz of CPU is a big help in the older generation of DirectX.
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And the 'current' generation 3D Mark 2003. The CPUs are identical pretty much except for some tests.
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</center>
PC Mark shows the difference that a new CPU makes. Faster and better (well, so they say...)
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</center>
The workstation benchmark using OpenGL. SPEC is a industry standard benchmark utilizing many programs that many designers and engineers use. We can see that a CPU plays a big role in the intense calculations needed.
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</center>
From a purely CPU standpoint, of course it is going to be better.
<center>
</center>
Yeah, again, the same thing happens.
We can conclude that a faster CPU is... faster. What a surprise!
<B>Conclusion</B>:
I purchased a bundle for retail employees that contained the CPU, motherboard and XP OEM. By the way, anyone want to buy XP Pro? Anyway, you can purchase the 3.0C for <a href="http://ase.dealtime.com/dt-app/SE/KW-Intel%20Pentium%204%203%20GHZ/FD-1719/linkin_id-3002062/NS-1/GS.html">about $280</a>. I would consider this a buy if you have a CPU that doesn't have the 800MHz FSB already. The problem is, you can buy a 2.4C and overclock it to 3GHz speeds with ease. I was doing this, and I'm sure over 70% of people that bought 2.4Cs are doing it also. It is up to you if you want to spend the extra money and not worry about overclocking, and some will be happy doing it.
Test System:
I wanted to test this CPU from a purely upgrading stand point. I had a 2.4C GHz previously in my system, so I figured to test it again that as I was upgrading that. Overclocking will come in the next article.
Abit IS7-E (The E means CHEAP!)
512MB Crucial PC3200
Radeon 9500 Pro
And a bunch of other standard stuff that really doesn't matter in the long run (you know what I mean).
Everything was run at 640x480 at the lowest possible detail setting to test the CPU and not the graphics card. In all benchmarks, red denotes the 3GHz while the gray denotes the 2.4GHz.
<center>
</center>First up is the always popular 3D Mark 2001 330. All the games were run at the low detail settings. This is a DirectX 8 benchmark. As you can see, the extra 600 MHz of CPU is a big help in the older generation of DirectX.
<center>
</center>And the 'current' generation 3D Mark 2003. The CPUs are identical pretty much except for some tests.
<center>
</center>PC Mark shows the difference that a new CPU makes. Faster and better (well, so they say...)
<center>
</center>The workstation benchmark using OpenGL. SPEC is a industry standard benchmark utilizing many programs that many designers and engineers use. We can see that a CPU plays a big role in the intense calculations needed.
<center>
</center>From a purely CPU standpoint, of course it is going to be better.
<center>
</center>Yeah, again, the same thing happens.
We can conclude that a faster CPU is... faster. What a surprise!
<B>Conclusion</B>:
I purchased a bundle for retail employees that contained the CPU, motherboard and XP OEM. By the way, anyone want to buy XP Pro? Anyway, you can purchase the 3.0C for <a href="http://ase.dealtime.com/dt-app/SE/KW-Intel%20Pentium%204%203%20GHZ/FD-1719/linkin_id-3002062/NS-1/GS.html">about $280</a>. I would consider this a buy if you have a CPU that doesn't have the 800MHz FSB already. The problem is, you can buy a 2.4C and overclock it to 3GHz speeds with ease. I was doing this, and I'm sure over 70% of people that bought 2.4Cs are doing it also. It is up to you if you want to spend the extra money and not worry about overclocking, and some will be happy doing it.