Intel Dual Core: Multi-Tasking Benchmarking

Real Life Testing

Last week when the dual core embargo was lifted LR brought you the usual processor article on the Intel 840. Today, we are going to focus on the multi-tasking abilities of the new dual core Smithfield processor versus that of the single core Prescott. For benchmarking we wanted identical clock speeds, so an Intel 840 was run versus an Intel 640. Both processors are very similar having EIST, EMT64, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB’s, and 90nm cores. The only major things that these two processors don’t have in common are price points ($285ish on the 640 and around $1000 for the 840) and the fact that one is dual core. The following benchmarks should show the advantages of dual core over single core if one is to be seen.

Over the past week we have had hundreds of e-mails on what to test for multi-tasking and to be honest 99% revolved around gaming and virus scanning. The other e-mails dealt with watching DVD’s, downloading files from the internet, running Folding @ Home, Encoding DVD’s, and other multi-tasking situations.

Software Used:

• Microsoft Media Player 10
• Power DVD 6
• DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15
• EZ CD Ripper 2.30
• Folding @ Home Console 5.02
• Symantec Norton 2004
• DOOM 3

Test System:

• Intel P4 640 & 840 — Intel D955XBK (Intel 955X), 1GB (2x512MB) Corsair PC5400 @ DDR2 667 (3-2-2-8), Geforce 6800GT 256mb (Forceware 71.84), 120GB Seagate SATA150 HDD, Windows XP w/SP2 and DX9C.

Testing Procedure:

All testing was done on a fresh install of Windows XP Professional build 2600 with Service Pack 2 and DirectX 9.0c. All benchmarks were completed on the desktop with multiple applications open. No overclocking was done on the video card during any of this review.

Time to see how dual core works in a multi-tasking environment.