Test Setup


 Performance Test Configuration
Processor(s): Intel 560 (3.6GHz) Socket 775
AMD 3500+ (2.2GHz, 90nm)
AMD FX55 (2.6GHz) Socket 939
RAM: 2 x 512MB OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev.2
(Samsung 2-2-2-5)
2 x 512MB Crucial/Micron DDR2 533
Hard Drive(s): Maxtor MaXLine III 250GB (16MB Cache)
Seagate 120GB 7200RPM SATA (8Mb buffer)
Video AGP & IDE Chipset Drivers: VIA Hyperion 455vp1
Intel Chipset Driver 6.0.0.1014
Intel Application Accelerator 4.0.0.6211
NVIDIA nForce version 4.24
Video Card(s): ATI X800 XT PCIe
nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra PCIe
Video Drivers: AMD Catalyst 5.1
nVidia 71.40 Graphics Drivers
Operating System(s): Windows XP Professional SP1
Power Supply: OCZ Power Stream 520W
Motherboards: VIA PT894 Reference Board
Asus P5GD2 Premium (915P)
DFI LANParty UT 915P-T12 (915P)
ECS PF4 915P Extreme (915P)
Epox 5epa+ (915P)
Intel 925XCV (Intel 925X) Socket 775
Gigabyte K8NXP-9 (nForce4) Socket 939
nVidia nForce4 Reference Board Socket 939

915/925X memory tests with boards using DDR2 (Asus, ECS, Intel 925x) used either Crucial PC2-4300U or Micron PC2-4300U memory modules. These are basically the same memory. The DFI boards, which runs either DDR2 or DDR, was benchmarked with DDR2. DDR2 was run at 3-3-3-10 timings at default voltage, which are faster timings than the SPD 4-4-4-12.

915 boards that use DDR (Epox), the VIA PT894, and AMD Athlon 64 boards were tested with OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev.2, which is based on Samsung TCCD memory chips, at 2-2-2-5 memory timings at JEDEC standard 2.6V.

The ATI X800 XT PCIe was used for all 915 and Athlon 64 benchmarking, unless noted otherwise. Previous benchmarks of the 925X had been run with the nVidia 6800 Ultra PCIe and are included for comparison. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1024x768x32 unless noted otherwise.

VIA PT894 Reference Board General Performance & Encoding
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  • ChineseDemocracyGNR - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    #14,

    we don't even know if the PT894 Pro will be more expensive than the PT894, or if it's just a name to help motherboard companies promote their DualGFX products. The nVidia nForce4 SLI is $20 more expensive than the Ultra.

    As far as "restoring VIA's reputation", they're not going to focus on that when releasing new products. I have worked with their recent chipsets (PT880, PT800, KT880, KT600, K8T800, K8T800Pro) and I don't think there's anything else they could other than continue to bring good chipsets at low prices to make people that had a bad experience with them 5 years ago change their minds.
  • quanta - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    If the nForce4 Ultra/SLI mod is of any indication, the PT894[Pro] will be a crippleware scam! Unlike NVIDIA, VIA no longer have any marketing lead to afford ripping off motherboard makers. Support for DDR memory isn't going to restore VIA's reputation, especially with the emerging NVIDIA chipset on Intel platform...
  • ChineseDemocracyGNR - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    Just for the curious, PCPer has pictures of PT880 Pro and PT894 Pro boards. So what? Well, the PT894 Pro is using the VT8251 southbridge. :)

    http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=114&type=...

    These two look very much like Jetway boards from the color scheme. ABIT's PT880Pro is also there.
  • MS - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    "Amd socket 939 = socket 754 + 184 pin = 938 pin "

    That's not exactly how it works, there are a number of power and ground pins that are not tied to the CPU at all. In other words, the calculation comes out somewhat close to reality but that is just coincidence. Otherwise, the Socket940 which needs to use 8 extra data lines and additional clock input would have a much higher pin count than just one over 939.
  • Wesley Fink - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    ALL - We apologize for the confusion this morning. The article posted at 6AM when the VIA NDA was 12 Noon EST (9AM PST). As soon as we realized this the article came down and went back up at the correct NDA time.

    #6 - Corrected
  • Dranzerk - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    Wow, this will make for a nice upgrade path for people. If they show up on market fast enough, and ample supply they should do well.
  • Jep4444 - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    Socket 754 and 939 have a few useless pins. I believe 939 has an extra useless pin.

    I'm not sure if thats how it works though.
  • nserra - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    The power of the DDR dimm is drained by the amd processor, or by board? If its the board how many pins are needed? Thanks in advance.

    #avijay thanks but you didnt answer my question:
    - Amd socket 939 = socket 754 + 184 pin = 938 pin
  • avijay - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    #5 skt939 has dual channel memory controller, not single channel like skt754. I think you can add that for the extra pin in the pin count.
  • avijay - Monday, January 31, 2005 - link

    As always, a very nice article! Just one thing to point out:
    (Page 6) table:
    VIA PT894 Reference Board Specifications
    CPU Interface Socket 939 Athlon 64 ???

    shouldn't that be skt 775!
    you might like to correct that wesley.

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