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Sandra 2001 se |
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Some Low Level
Scores... |
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Below lists the system
performance of the 694T Pro at a default 1.2GHz. and
overclocked at 1.45GHz.
CPU@1.2GHz.
MM@1.2GHz.
MEM@1.2GHz.
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CPU@1.45GHz.
MM@1.45GHz.
MEM@1.45GHz.
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HD@1.2GHz.
If there is one thing that we
can say about motherboards running Intel's new "Tualatin"
processor is that the Sandra score are pretty impressive.
At the default 1.2GHz. processor speed, the 694T Pro matched
both the CPU and Multimedia performance of an Athlon system
running the same speed. We found the memory scores
above average with the 694T Pro and hard drive performance
was on par with other systems we've tested. The real fun came when we turned up the
bus speed to 160MHz., pushing the CPU to 1.45GHz., and then
let Sandra do her thing. The CPU and Multimedia
performance topped everything else on the scale including a
1.6GHz. P4. Once overclocked, the RAM performance gave
a few DDR systems a run for their money.
With this board exhibiting great stability and performance, the next thing to do is
have a little fun and see how it handles some more of
today's popular benchmarks....
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3DMark
2001
&
Quake
3 Arena |
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Takin' It To The
Limit... |
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First off, we decided to see how
this system performed running 3D Mark 2001. There is
nothing like a heavy dose of DirectX 8 to stress a system.
At the default speed of 1.2GHz.,
our test system put up a decent score, although a bit slower
than the baseline. Once we sped things up to 1.45GHz.,
we found an modest gain of almost 8%. Surely with the
help of an overclocked videocard, that number would be much
higher. All-in-all, though, not a bad showing.
What review would be complete
without our next choice, Quake 3. This is the
definitive OpenGL stress tester, so we ran the Timedemo 001 at
640x480x16 to see what the board is capable of maxing out at.
At the core speed of 1.2GHz. the
system virtually tied with our baseline Intel board.
The real fun came when we kicked the processor up to
1.45GHz., we hit the CPU limit at 230FPS! This was one
of the highest reading this reviewer has seen on a PIII
based motherboard. With the FSB clocked at 160MHz., we
saw a tremendous gain of just under 20%. If there is one
thing we can say about this board, she's ready to play!
When it comes to the 694T Pro
Motherboard, there is no denying that MSI has put together a
real winner. Throughout the testing of this board, I
was impressed with its quality, performance, and stability.
Whether you are in the market for a high quality
workstation, or you're a hardcore overclocker looking for a
sweet PIII gaming rig, the 694T Pro will not disappoint.
The Diagnostic LED feature is nice touch, although I doubt
there would be much of a reason to use them. If you
are going to consider purchasing this board, my only suggestion
is that
you hold your breath for a R.A.I.D. version.
For excellent design, features,
and stability as well as good overclocking potential, we
give the MSI 694T Pro motherboard a Hot Hardware Meter
Rating of a...
Are you talkin' to me?
Get into the HotHardware Conference Room!
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