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MPEG-2 Encoding Performance |
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Processor
Performance Benchmarking... |
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Our next
test in the line-up is MadOnion's Video 2000 MPEG-2
Encoding Performance test. This is a relatively
short test that does a good job at measuring the CPU's
processing capacity.
It may not be much to
look at without a comparison, be let me assure you
that this is not a bad score at all. This will
become clear as the AD70-SR is used in future KT266A
reviews. Now we'll move on to some benchmarks
who's numbers may be a little more familiar.
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More Performance With Quake 3 |
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Reaching For the
CPU Limit... |
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Now things
are looking a little more familiar. Typically we
like to run the Quake 3 Timedemo 1 at the "Fastest"
settings to determine the CPU limit as shown in Frames
Per Second.
Once
again, the DFI AD70-SR did a fine job tearing through
the time demo. Now we'll move on to the
Winstone's...
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Business and Content Creation
Winstone |
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Reaching For the
CPU Limit... |
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Both
Business Winstone and Content Creation Winstone focus
on a systems ability to process popular "Real-World"
applications. The first focuses on today's more
popular business oriented applications while the
latter stresses a systems multimedia capabilities.
Let's take a look and see how the AD70-SR handled the
task at hand...
Clearly it
can be seen that the AD70-SR, matched with Via's
KT266A chipset, was more than able to handle the more
intensive tests we could throw at it with relative
ease. If you compare these results to our recent
Shuttle vs Epox review, you will find that the AD70-SR
performance was in the same ballpark.
Overall,
DFI has put together a decent motherboard that
balances top-notch performance with excellent
stability. There is no denying that the
performance of the AD70-SR is right up there with
other "Higher-end" motherboard. Nonetheless, we
are a little surprised with some of the design
decisions made with the AD70-SR. We were
especially taken aback by the migration away from the
jumper-less motherboard design. As other
manufacturers have simplified their design, allowing
necessary adjustments to be made from within the BIOS,
DFI has reverted back to the hands-on approach.
On top of that, without any installation instructions
whatsoever in the Users-Guide, installing this
motherboard can be a daunting task for the novice.
If you are a PC enthusiast who is familiar with
installing computer hardware, then we have no problem
recommending the AD70-SR. It is a motherboard
with high performance, stability and a lower price tag
than comparable KT266A boards. However, if you
are lacking the experience needed to install a new
piece of hardware, you may find some of the jumper
settings a bit unclear and intimidating.
We give
the DFI AD70-SR motherboard a Hot Hardware Heat Meter
Rating of a...
Think you
know about this hardware stuff? Then get into
the New H.H. Forum and Strut your Stuff!
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