Benchmarks I
So we're trying to compare the effects of faster FSB and synchronous RAM speeds whilst keeping the CPU speed at roughly 3.3GHz. In theory, having greater bandwidth (RAM speed) and the ability to use that bandwidth (matching Front-Side Bus) at a constant-ish CPU speed should allow for greater performances in bandwidth-starved tests. That's one of the prime reasons why a Canterwood board (with, say, a 2.8GHz 200MHz FSB CPU) produces better numbers than a Granite bay motherboard (with a 2.8Ghz 133MHz FSB CPU). Another lies with the latter's use of smooth Hyper-Threading tech.Our first look is with SiSoftware's SANDRA (v989) memory analysis.
Intel's dual-channel chipsets haven't always been the most efficient at getting maximum bandwidth from system RAM. At 275MHz FSB (or, as Intel likes to put it, 1100MHz FSB), there's a potential 8.8GB/s on tap. We see the ABIT IS7 / Corsair TwinX XMS4400 struggle to 6GB/s, according to SANDRA. The rise from 236.3MHz to 275MHz is expected. Let's take a look at bandwidth in an unbuffered state.
It looks good for the XMS4400 here. There was a lull between the production of PC3500 memory and PC4000. Corsair has jumped from PC4000 to PC4400 in one fell swoop. Here's how SANDRA saw it.
Pretty tasty, huh ?.
