HowToFixComputers.com

Steve · Guest

Hi,

What benchmarking utilities would give me a good overview of my computers
performance level and alert me to sub-par operation for the given hardware
configuration?

My system is as follows:

Pentium 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 800MHz front side bus
1 GB DDR 400MHz SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
128MB DDR ATI Radeon 9800 with TV-Out Video Card
16X DVD-ROM
200 GB EIDE Hard Drive (WD2000JB)
48X CD-RW Drive
56Kbps Data/Fax Modem
Sound Blaster Live! Digital Sound Card

Thanks for the help.

Nick Hogg · Guest

get a xDSL net connection, you'll be much happier ;-)

"Steve" <SRossiter@msn.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.19c1258b33e790fb9896ac@news.fullerton.edu...

Strontium · Guest

prime95
seti@home

These will expose any instability. As for benchmarking, Winstone is fairly
well-respected.

-
Steve stood up at show-n-tell, in
MPG.19c1258b33e790fb9896ac@news.fullerton.edu, and said:

Vin · Guest

hi steve,

i'd first test the stability of the system before moving onto actual
benchmarking:

1. memtest86 -- ram test, run this for a few hours

2. sisoft sandra's burn-in, prime95, seti@home -- you should run either of
these tests for a few hours/overnight to assess your pc's stability at full
load, heat issues, etc

3. move onto overall system performance (cpu-ram-video) - futuremark
3dmark01se/3dmark03 -- futuremark's online result browser will give you a
general idea about how well your system scores against comparable configs

4. application specific benchmarks to test individual components - hard disk
(hddtach, sisoft drive test), memory (sisoft), graphics (popular opengl and
directx games - quake3 mpc demo, unreal tourney 2003 flyby, comanche,
serious sam 2, etc). sisoft has an inbuilt database that will let you
compare your results against other similar setups. For game specific
numbers, browse through some regular hardware resource sites like tomshw,
anandtech, firingsquad, etc

best,
vin

"Steve" <SRossiter@msn.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.19c1258b33e790fb9896ac@news.fullerton.edu...

santa · Guest

"Steve" <SRossiter@msn.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.19c1258b33e790fb9896ac@news.fullerton.edu...
: Hi,
:
: What benchmarking utilities would give me a good overview of my computers
: performance level and alert me to sub-par operation for the given hardware
: configuration?
:
: My system is as follows:
:
: Pentium 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 800MHz front side bus
: 1 GB DDR 400MHz SDRAM (2 DIMMs)
: 128MB DDR ATI Radeon 9800 with TV-Out Video Card
: 16X DVD-ROM
: 200 GB EIDE Hard Drive (WD2000JB)
: 48X CD-RW Drive
: 56Kbps Data/Fax Modem
: Sound Blaster Live! Digital Sound Card
:
: Thanks for the help.

Performing what, matrix inversions, Fourier transforms, gaming? What do you
want to prove to your friends? Anyone worth his pencil can write code that
will make your box look like an absolute cripple. Going the other way is not
quite so simple. Benchmarks don't prove very much except in specific
cases. From the hardware you list you have a fairy high end chip and a
cheap old cycle stealing sound card. You don't say whether your modem is
hardware or software. Not to rain on your parade but sounds like the on
commission computer salesman go to you.

claus

Joe · Guest

SST · Guest

The new P4c with HP are amazing!!

Mines at 13x X 250 = 3257 with an overclocked 9700p that I have had for just
about a year now.

Use SiSoft's Sandra bench marks to calculate memory bandwidth and CPU
performance along with tons of other tests.

"Steve" <SRossiter@msn.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.19c1258b33e790fb9896ac@news.fullerton.edu...

SST · Guest

not really.

CPU Dhrystone and Whetstone in terms of MIPS and MFLOPS are standard and
commonly used to accurately compare CPU's. Same for Interger and FPU
calculations.

This isn't like 3D Marks bench where a video card can be tricked. Their is
no driver responsible for running a Pi Calculation or a Dhrystone/Whetstone.

I'm using Sandra 2003 (2003.7.9.73)
P4c/Abit IC7 @ 13x X 250.6 = 3257.5 MHz (1.60v)
Sandra Mem 5472 mbs | 5474mbs (200.5MHz, cl2-2-2-6)

Sandra CPU 9899 MIPS | 2812 / 6191 MFLOPS

Sandra MM 15,013 it/s | 23992 it/s

Sandra HD (C disgusted

) 30846 KB/s (Western Digital 120GB SE)

3DM01 (371/344):
19,292 (dx8, cat 3.4) http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6661809
18794 (dx9, cat 3.6) http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6769660

"Joe" <abuse@mts.net> wrote in message
news:Xns93ECAF38FFD69abusemtsnet@205.200.16.73...

santa · Guest

SST,
My question still stands what are you trying to prove? CPU performance is
only one criteria in the overall performance of a system; MIPS or MFOPS are
only important if you're executing a particular algorithm. The fastest
processor in the world doesn't make much difference if only 5% of the
processing time is spent multiplying or dividing.
Drystone/Whetstone are synthetic tests they measure certain attributes of a
processor but they're not much good at telling you what will happen in a
real world situation. It would appear you are interested in numbers to
impress in which case they may be of value to you. If you're really
interested in benchmarking try the ACM or IEEE sites for info.

"SST" <Email@Email.com> wrote in message
news:d3%5b.27599$Ay2.5746873@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
: not really.
:
: CPU Dhrystone and Whetstone in terms of MIPS and MFLOPS are standard and
: commonly used to accurately compare CPU's. Same for Interger and FPU
: calculations.
:
: This isn't like 3D Marks bench where a video card can be tricked. Their is
: no driver responsible for running a Pi Calculation or a
Dhrystone/Whetstone.
:
: I'm using Sandra 2003 (2003.7.9.73)
: P4c/Abit IC7 @ 13x X 250.6 = 3257.5 MHz (1.60v)
: Sandra Mem 5472 mbs | 5474mbs (200.5MHz, cl2-2-2-6)
:
: Sandra CPU 9899 MIPS | 2812 / 6191 MFLOPS
:
: Sandra MM 15,013 it/s | 23992 it/s
:
: Sandra HD (C disgusted

) 30846 KB/s (Western Digital 120GB SE)
:
:
:
: 3DM01 (371/344):
: 19,292 (dx8, cat 3.4) http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6661809
: 18794 (dx9, cat 3.6) http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6769660
:
:
: "Joe" <abuse@mts.net> wrote in message
: news:Xns93ECAF38FFD69abusemtsnet@205.200.16.73...
: >
: > > Performing what, matrix inversions, Fourier transforms, gaming? What
: > > do you want to prove to your friends? Anyone worth his pencil can
: > > write code that will make your box look like an absolute cripple.
: > > Going the other way is not quite so simple. Benchmarks don't prove
: > > very much except in specific cases. From the hardware you list you
: > > have a fairy high end chip and a cheap old cycle stealing sound card.
: > > You don't say whether your modem is hardware or software. Not to rain
: > > on your parade but sounds like the on commission computer salesman go
: > > to you.
: > >
: > > claus
: >
: > I agree. benchmarks are only useful when performing tests on the same
rig.
: > ie overclocking memory while raising timings. As nvidia has shown us
: > hardware can be optimized to benchmarks so it's value in comparing
: > different systems has become an apples to oranges ordeal.
: >
:
:

Shuttie · Guest

"SST" <Email@Email.com> wrote in message
news:6K_5b.27101$Ay2.5678946@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...

ST · Guest

Ooops - yes, HT (Hyper Threading) was announced by Intel in mid November of
2002. I don't believe they were available for a couple of months. I don't
remember seeing them readily available and certainly not affordable till
March or so of this year. That's 6 months ago.

"Shuttie" <jdeklerk@eye_name.com> wrote in message
news:bjaa53$9$1@ctb-nnrp2.saix.net...

ST · Guest

Umm, whatever.

so exactly how many dead animals do you have up your ***?

The man asked about some consumer grade benchmarks that are good indicators
for troubleshooting. Sandra is. I installed an application from Creative
Labs once not to long ago for my NOMAD Jukebox.

After a few hours though the system was a bit sluggish but its hard to tell
sometimes on such a fast machine. I didn't pay much attention to it and then
some days later noticed it again when doing certain things. I ran a CPU
bench in Sandra and noticed that the score was allot lower (25% or more less
then usual). I did a system restore to before the application install and
things were right back to normal again.

Sandra was very helpful in discovering this performance robbing application.
If I had 'just' built the system and installed the application from the
start I would have not known that this application was robbing my system of
performance.

For years now, when I install a fresh OS I run a set of benches and
occasionally check them. Especially after driver installs. I also find it
informative to compare to others and see if I am in par.

"santa" <santa@southpole.com> wrote in message
news:qr06b.4915$Jf3.54950@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...

Daniel Yates · Guest

I purchased my computer at the beginning of 2002 and both the mobo and
processor are utilising hyper threading, this being confirmed bty a number
of diagnosis tools such as fresh diagnose and PC Wizard 2003

Daniel

"ST" <spam@email.com> wrote in message
news:sK66b.37539$Ay2.7238510@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...

santa · Guest

"ST" <spam@email.com> wrote in message
news:sY66b.37734$Ay2.7296586@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
: Umm, whatever.
:
: so exactly how many dead animals do you have up your ***?
:
:
: The man asked about some consumer grade benchmarks that are good
indicators
: for troubleshooting. Sandra is. I installed an application from Creative
: Labs once not to long ago for my NOMAD Jukebox.
:
: After a few hours though the system was a bit sluggish but its hard to
tell
: sometimes on such a fast machine. I didn't pay much attention to it and
then
: some days later noticed it again when doing certain things. I ran a CPU
: bench in Sandra and noticed that the score was allot lower (25% or more
less
: then usual). I did a system restore to before the application install and
: things were right back to normal again.
:
: Sandra was very helpful in discovering this performance robbing
application.
: If I had 'just' built the system and installed the application from the
: start I would have not known that this application was robbing my system
of
: performance.
:
: For years now, when I install a fresh OS I run a set of benches and
: occasionally check them. Especially after driver installs. I also find it
: informative to compare to others and see if I am in par.
:
:
:
:
: "santa" <santa@southpole.com> wrote in message
: news:qr06b.4915$Jf3.54950@newscontent-01.sprint.ca...
: > SST,
: > My question still stands what are you trying to prove? CPU performance
is
: > only one criteria in the overall performance of a system; MIPS or MFOPS
: are
: > only important if you're executing a particular algorithm. The fastest
: > processor in the world doesn't make much difference if only 5% of the
: > processing time is spent multiplying or dividing.
: > Drystone/Whetstone are synthetic tests they measure certain attributes
of
: a
: > processor but they're not much good at telling you what will happen in a
: > real world situation. It would appear you are interested in numbers to
: > impress in which case they may be of value to you. If you're really
: > interested in benchmarking try the ACM or IEEE sites for info.
: >
: >
: >
: > "SST" <Email@Email.com> wrote in message
: > news:d3%5b.27599$Ay2.5746873@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
: > : not really.
: > :
: > : CPU Dhrystone and Whetstone in terms of MIPS and MFLOPS are standard
and
: > : commonly used to accurately compare CPU's. Same for Interger and FPU
: > : calculations.
: > :
: > : This isn't like 3D Marks bench where a video card can be tricked.
Their
: is
: > : no driver responsible for running a Pi Calculation or a
: > Dhrystone/Whetstone.
: > :
: > : I'm using Sandra 2003 (2003.7.9.73)
: > : P4c/Abit IC7 @ 13x X 250.6 = 3257.5 MHz (1.60v)
: > : Sandra Mem 5472 mbs | 5474mbs (200.5MHz, cl2-2-2-6)
: > :
: > : Sandra CPU 9899 MIPS | 2812 / 6191 MFLOPS
: > :
: > : Sandra MM 15,013 it/s | 23992 it/s
: > :
: > : Sandra HD (C disgusted

) 30846 KB/s (Western Digital 120GB SE)
: > :
: > :
: > :
: > : 3DM01 (371/344):
: > : 19,292 (dx8, cat 3.4)
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6661809
: > : 18794 (dx9, cat 3.6) http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6769660
: > :
: > :
: > : "Joe" <abuse@mts.net> wrote in message
: > : news:Xns93ECAF38FFD69abusemtsnet@205.200.16.73...
: > : >
: > : > > Performing what, matrix inversions, Fourier transforms, gaming?
What
: > : > > do you want to prove to your friends? Anyone worth his pencil can
: > : > > write code that will make your box look like an absolute cripple.
: > : > > Going the other way is not quite so simple. Benchmarks don't
prove
: > : > > very much except in specific cases. From the hardware you list
you
: > : > > have a fairy high end chip and a cheap old cycle stealing sound
: card.
: > : > > You don't say whether your modem is hardware or software. Not to
: rain
: > : > > on your parade but sounds like the on commission computer salesman
: go
: > : > > to you.
: > : > >
: > : > > claus
: > : >
: > : > I agree. benchmarks are only useful when performing tests on the
same
: > rig.
: > : > ie overclocking memory while raising timings. As nvidia has shown
us
: > : > hardware can be optimized to benchmarks so it's value in comparing
: > : > different systems has become an apples to oranges ordeal.
: > : >
: > :
: > :
: >
:
:

Well woop-de-do. Animals? ***? Are you trying to be funny or insulting
instead of just plain stupid?

And after accumulating all these numbers what do you do with them add them
to a little table and do cross tabs or co-variances and tell yourself "if
I'd just installed x instead of y I'd get a higher or lower number? DO you
get right in there and modify the kernel so its better at interrupt handling
for fast devices or perhaps you've optimized the buffer size for DMA write
or something. You really should go back to dos 2.0 of you want a tight
little operating system fast as hell but not much good with anything more
that 640k.

How many drivers have you written? Not a *** one I'll bet, but hey you
can say rev2.3.5 is faster than rev2.3.4 but it doesn't works unlike the
previous one so I'll stay with the fast one cause jesus the number tells me
so.

You enjoy yourself.

claus

Shuttie · Guest

Yeh, a 3.06@533!!!!!!!!!!!

"Daniel Yates" <d.yates263@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:_ig6b.2517$Ve3.178@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...