Foreword

Anyone who dual hears the word and thinks of two processors, believes now, he would have the double performance of a system with only one processor. This is only partially true. With a dual processor board, the two processors share the resulting work, the operating system automatically splits the tasks on the two processors. In other words, a dual processor board does many works that must perform a system with only one processor at a time, and this inevitably somewhat slowed down much more efficiently. One does not notice so when working with such a Board, that many actions take place at the same time. However, there are only a few software that really take advantage of both processors. In rendering, as well as CAD software. But are also software to encode and convert video movies. Two representatives of this category are Xmpeg and TMPEGenc. Both programs take advantage of the two processors, which of course dramatically reflected in the resulting conversion time, as we will see in the benchmarks.

The subjects

To the test, we had three dual-AMD motherboards available. All three are already equipped with the new MPX chipset from AMD. The main advantage of the new MPX chipset, consisting of the AMD 762 Northbridge and the AMD 768 southbridge, consists above all in the 66 MHz 64 bit/32 bit PCI bus and in the integration of AC97 audio. In contrast to its predecessor, the AMD MP chipset, which did not have these two features. At least as far as the AC97 audio support. The 64-bit PCI bus in the MP chipset could be controlled with only 33 MHz.

There is the A7M266-D from ASUS, the MSI K7D Master-L and the Tiger MPX of the veteran of Tyan technologies once. At this point we want to thank warmly the respective companies for generously providing of the main Board.

A main Board could be mounted unfortunately not in time to test the M762A of EPoX. We will take it at a later date but still under the microscope.

The A7M266-D from ASUS

The second dual AMD Board after the Tyan Tiger MP, times apart from the expensive Tyan Thunder models on the market. That gave us this revision nor the southbridge bug, can be seen on the B1, the ASUS to revision number caused the on-board USB-interfaces to disable. To replace a USB comes with 2.0 PCI card the mainboard. One looks for the A7M266-d also a LAN interface to no avail.

When unpacking the mainboard of powerful Northbridge cooler reveals just one which which in normal everyday operation is sufficient, but becomes very hot with 57 degrees. One looks in vain for mounting wholes for bolted cooler. They were also useless, because the CPU socket is around too little space to mount a great 80′s cooler, the capacitors are doing too close to the base. The installation of a cooling bath with intermediates, such as about the Thermaltake volcano 7 with his large 70 mm x 68 mm footprint, is already, because we must protect the heatsink in some places with insulating tape from a direct contact with the capacitors.

Power supply, the now obligatory 3 plug-in are required that supply sufficient power to the two processors and the AGP Pro slot. Here, it is also nice to see the “hole”, where actually the two USB ports should find place.

Somewhat unhappy are the jumper to the adjustment of the CPU voltage. Very down under the last PCI slot. This would certainly not as bad, if you would expand the Board each time. But the jumper block is built only 1 cm from the floor of the Tower removed, and you need to reposition the four jumpers have some skill and a long pair of tweezers. As in the manual can be read, the adjustment of the tension however only has effect on the CPU 1. The voltage of the CPU of 2 remains the same, as you can verify in the BIOS.

Facilities & delivery

The A7M266-D with only little accessories will be delivered. These include the already mandatory cable for the floppy drive and the IDE connector. To connect USB devices, USB comes with 2.0 PCI card with four ports. You also need that, because the A7M266-D has unfortunately no on-board USB-ports. A comprehensive manual for the Board, a small guide for the USB card, as well as a quick setup guide, which contains a part of German, are provided in as well as a so-called quick reference card with you, can get a quick overview of the situation of different connectors and components on the mainboard in connection with the Quick Setup Guide. In addition, there is still a driver CD, an extra driver disk for the USB card and a cover plate for external connections, which can be installed in the PC case and is tailored exactly to the ports of A7M266-D.

The features of the ASUS A7M266-D in detail

• Form factor
  • Socket 462 ATX (30.5 cm x 24.5cm)
• Processor
  • Supports MP dual (Sockel462) AMD Athlon / Duron MP
• Chip set
  • AMD 760 MPX chipset
  • AMD 762 Northbridge (passively cooled)
  • AMD 768 Southbridge
• RAM
  • 4 x 184-pin DIMMS (DDR RAM)
  • Supports RAM with 2, 5V DDR PC1600/2100
  • Max memory size: 4 GB of registered DDR SDRAM
    or 2 GB unbuffered DDR SDRAM (slot 1 + 2)
• Expansion slots
  • 1 x AGP Pro 4 x slot
  • 2 x 64 bit / 66 MHz PCI slots
  • 3 x 32 bit / 33 MHz PCI slots
  • 4 x Fan connectors (monitor capable)
  • 2 IDE ports (UDMA 33/66/100)
• External connectors
  • 1 x parallel port
  • 2 x serial ports
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports (via external PCI-card)
  • 1 x microphone in
  • 1 x line in
  • 1 x line out
• Internal connections
  • 1 x microphone in
  • 1 x line in
  • 1 x earphone connection
  • Infrared transmitter/receiver connection
  • SMB bus connection
  • ASUS iPanel connection
  • Front panel audio connector
  • Chassis intrusion detection
• BIOS
  • 2 MBit Award BIOS
  • Front bus in 1 MHz steps adjustable side in the BIOS (100-200 MHz)
  • PC health monitoring
• Special features
  • Dolby Digital 6 channel C-Media motherboard sound
  • ASUS C.O.P.
  • DDR-RAM voltage adjustable 2, 5V, 2,6V, 2,7V
• Other functions
  • Keyboard power-on, suspend to RAM
  • Wake on LAN, wake on modem, wake on USB-device
  • CPU voltage adjustable by Jumper 1,075 to 1.85 V

The BIOS

We come now to the BIOS of ASUS A7M266-D. As usual from ASUS, also here almost not be desired. Is it that you can check the status of the mainboard using the hardware monitor or on its memory can adapt perfectly the various memory timings. Also the Overclocker was considered again. So you can adjust the front side bus (FSB) in increments of one MHz. The tension of CPUs increases continue with jumper directly on the motherboard to 1.85 V. Unfortunately, is however not possible adjustment of the CPU multiplier.

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The MSI K7D Master-L

MSI also has a dual-AMD mainboard on Commons. There was the K7D Master, which is equipped in the L-facilities with a LAN connection and us in this version to the test. MSI could already ruining the new revision of the southbridge with the number of B2, so that a smooth use of on-board USB interface is guaranteed. Like the packaging, so also the motherboard in a clay Brown metallic is colored clay. Visually not unattractive. To connect of the fan MSI has four ports on the motherboard, gepakt, each for the two CPUs, a case fan, as well as a connection for the power supply, which you can monitor the speed of the power supply fan.

When mounting the CPU cooler, MSI makes a notable exception. Here, there are screw holes for heavy cooler. Unfortunately, the space around the two bases is not lush to call, so that no large 80 x 80 mm fan can be mounted again. For cooling the Northbridge, MSI has chosen only one of our test candidates for active cooling.

For power the K7D Master-L with the standard ATX connector and the 4-pin power plug is content, to provide the CPU and the AGP Pro slot with electricity. The usual reserve power plug can be not connected here.

The relatively large heat sink, which has mounted two socket on the voltage regulator in addition to the MSI are evident. Only when compared with the other two Boards reveals which that MSI makes do with very few capacitors in the area of the base here.

At the external connectors, the K7D Master L is the most comprehensive endowed. In addition to the normal port for the printer, the two serial ports and the AC97 audio here even a game port is port of the lot. The two USB interfaces thanks to the new AMD MPX chipset are now on-board and can be easily used with the brand new B2-revision of the southbridge. The integrated LAN interface, which is controlled by an Intel LAN controller, the Intel 82559EL 10 / 100 Mbps, is sitting above it.

Facilities & delivery

The dual-AMD mainboard is delivered by MSI, the K7D Master-L, in a beautiful purple metallic colored box. The default included cable to connect a floppy drive and the motherboard two IDE devices are unpacked again. In addition to the integrated already onboard USB interfaces here even a USB card that supports USB 2.0 for even higher data transfer rates, but is included in. A cable with a slot aperture for the second USB port is also. A driver CD completed the delivery of K7D Master-L.

The features of MSI K7D Master-L in detail

• Form factor
  • Socket 462 ATX (30.5 cm x 24. 52 cm)
• Processor
  • Supports MP dual (Sockel462) AMD Athlon / Duron MP
• Chip set
  • AMD 760 MPX chipset
  • AMD 762 Northbridge (active cooling)
  • AMD 768 Southbridge
• RAM
  • 4 x 184-pin DIMMS (DDR RAM)
  • Supports RAM with 2, 5V DDR PC1600/2100
  • Max memory size: 4 GB of registered DDR SDRAM
    or 2 GB unbuffered DDR SDRAM
• Expansion slots
  • 1 x AGP Pro 4 x slot
  • 2 x 64 bit / 66 MHz PCI slots
  • 3 x 32 bit / 33 MHz PCI slots
  • 5 x Fan connectors (4 monitor capable)
  • 2 IDE ports (UDMA 33/66/100)
  • 4 USB ports (2 rear/2 external front)
  • 1 Network connection (Intel 82559 ER 10 / 100 Mbps)
  • 1 Game port
• External connectors
  • 1 x parallel port
  • 2 x serial ports
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports (via external PCI-card)
  • 1 x microphone in
  • 1 x line in
  • 1 x line out
• Internal connections
  • 1 x CD in
  • 1 x AUX line in
  • 1 x modem in
  • 1 x wake on ring
  • 1 x wake on LAN
  • 2 USB front panel connectors
  • Chassis intrusion detection
• BIOS
  • 2 MBit Award BIOS
  • Front side bus in 11 steps adjustable (100-150 MHz)
  • Multiplier adjustable (5 x to 12, 5 x)
  • CPU-voltage adjustable (1.1 V to 1.85 V)
  • PC health monitoring
• Special features
  • AC 97 sound
  • D LED diagnostic LEDs
• Other functions
  • Keyboard power-on, suspend to RAM
  • Wake on LAN, wake on modem

The BIOS

The MSI BIOS. Here everything is offered, what your heart desires. Not only for normal users, but also for the ambitious PC user, who wants to get the last of its motherboard. On the standard view of BIOS want we here not go, we come equal to the special features.

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In the advanced chipset menu starts with it. Here, you can set all values to its memory that one can only imagine. In the menu of frequency/voltage control provides one, as the name implies, the clock frequency of CPUs, however only 5 levels are possible. Here, you can set the voltage of the CPU of 1.1 V to 1.85 V, as well as the multiplier of CPUs in the range of 5.5 to 12, 5 x.

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The Tyan Tiger MPX

In a dual processor motherboard test may not be missing a mainboard from the old masters for dual boards, Tyan technologies. We could take the Tiger MPX under the microscope. Unfortunately, the Tiger MPX like the ASUS Board has still the southbridge bug. A use which is on-board USB interfaces while possible, is but of AMD not recommended, because it might cause data loss. As lived by Tyan motherboard looks very clearly, almost empty. In direct comparison with the other boards, one falls on that Tyan has packed very few ports on the Board. Unusual for others, normal for Tyan, the many connections for fans. Tyan were placed, on the Tiger MPX equal to six of them. Tyan was not stingy with the PCI slots, the normal 32 bit/33MHz-Slots has the Tiger MPX as single board in the TestField four in addition to the two 64 bit/66 MHz of slots.

Also at the Tiger MPX, one is forced to install normal 60 x 60 cm cooler. Here, larger coolers are practically not possible. The large capacitors, which form a series between the pedestals, to prevent any large and powerful cooler installation.

An interesting idea has come Tyan in connection with the power supply itself. Instead of the additional 4-pin power connector, as it is now common, a socket for an ordinary drive connector is available here. What causes misunderstanding at first, is appropriate in the second moment. The advantage of this approach is clearly obvious. When the Tiger MPX you need a new PSU do not necessarily, no, you can continue using his old ATX power supply if it has enough power for a dual-AMD mainboard.

As mentioned above in this topic, it goes to Spartan at the port. Except two USB are the obligatory port for the printer, and two serial ports, 1.1 interface and the LAN port, here, Tyan has chosen chip (3C920C) for a 3Com, exist. Because the Tiger MPX has integrated no sound chip on the Board, the ports of the other boards are missing here.

Facilities & delivery

The Tiger MPX by Tyan also has no special considerations for delivery. The already mentioned two cables for the drives, a cover plate for external connections, as well as a driver CD and a USB PCI card 2.0 only, in addition to the manual and the motherboard in the box.

The features of Tyan Tiger MPX (S2466) in detail

• Form factor
  • Socket 462 ATX (30.5 cm x 25.9)
• Processor
  • Supports dual (Sockel462) AMD Athlon MP
• Chip set
  • AMD 760 MPX chipset
  • AMD 762 Northbridge (passively cooled)
  • AMD 768 Southbridge
• RAM
  • 4 x 184-pin DIMMS (DDR RAM)
  • Supports RAM with 2, 5V DDR PC1600/2100
  • Max memory size: 4 GB of registered DDR SDRAM
    or 2 GB unbuffered DDR SDRAM
• Expansion slots
  • 1 x AGP 4 x slot
  • 2 x 64 bit / 66 MHz PCI slots
  • 4 x 32 bit / 33 MHz PCI slots
  • 6 x Fan connectors (4 monitor capable)
  • 2 IDE ports (UDMA 33/66/100)
  • 4 USB ports (2 rear/2 external front)
  • 1 Network port (3Com 3C920C 10 / 100 Mbps)
• External connectors
  • 1 x parallel port
  • 2 x serial ports
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports (via external PCI-card)
• Internal connections
  • 2 USB front panel connectors
  • Chassis intrusion detection
  • SMB bus connection
  • LAN activity LED
• BIOS
  • 2 MBit Award BIOS
  • Front side bus in 9 steps adjustable (133-150 MHz)
• Special features
  • Auxiliary power connector
• Other functions
  • None

The BIOS

So spartan as the mainboard itself, so it looks in the BIOS. Even after multiple searches no menu could be identified, lets you control the State of its motherboards, such as such as the temperature of the CPUs or monitoring the speed of the fan. The surprising especially as the previous model, MP, possessed this possibility Tiger then already.

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For this all the more unusual for Tyan, setting options for the front side bus. Tyan can bus (FSB) now in 9 steps from 133 MHz to 150 MHZ set the PC user of the front side.

Another point, which is striking not just at the beginning is the lack of the ability to turn off the shadow functions. Especially the video BIOS shadow and the system BIOS shadow function are permanently switched on when the Tiger MPX and not to disable.

The test structure

For the operation of a dual AMD motherboard the Athlon is MP processor. For our review of the most powerful processor of the MP family, the Athlon MP2000 + was made by the company of AMD, us available. Thank you for the generous provision of two processors at this point to AMD technologies.

Still, we had the following hardware in use:

• Mainboards
  • ASUS A7M266-D
  • MSI K7D Master-L
  • Tyan Tiger MPX
• Processors
  • AMD Athlon MP2000 +
  • AMD Athlon MP2000 +
• CPU cooler
  • ARKUA 6228
• Memory
  • Nanya 512 MB Cl2
• Graphics card
  • ASUS v8200 DeLuxe
• Hard drive
  • 40 GB Maxtor D740X 6 l
• CD ROM
  • Yamaha CRW2100E (16/10/40)
• Power supply
  • Enermax EG465P-VE (431W)
• Housing
  • NONAME MIDI-Tower addition
    with two 80 x 80 mm fan (1.92 W)
• Mouse
  • Logitech
• Monitor
  • Iiyama vision master 451

All boards have been squeezed in a MIDI-tower case. In addition, the tower was equipped with two housing fan of YS-tech company in the 80mmx80mm design with 1.92 Watts. One of the two fan caused the supply of fresh air on the front of the case. The second fan was responsible for the removal of the heated air, directly behind the CPU cooler on the back of the tower.

We have housing with four or five fans, which has an improved performance, but is also accordingly expensive intentionally in this test for a normal tower case strongly and not for an aluminium.

You have to say that two processors produce a ton of waste heat. It wants to be brought course once from the housing, so that the CPU fan have again cooler air to cool the CPU cooler. The least two case fans are, as described above. Beneficial, either a second fan, a fan is up in the housing cover in addition on the back, or, if technically feasible. It is to mention, yet, that a power supply’s second unit, which provided the warm air directly over the two processors, is imperative for an installation in a MIDI-Tower.

For the cooling of CPUs, we faced the choice between three cooler couples. To select two Kanie Hedgehog 294M full copper cooler, two Thermaltake volcano 7, and two ARKUA were 6228, who made a few months ago, still a sensation if their very good cooling performance, set new records. After a short test of all three fan we decided which offered the best cooling performance with pleasant noise for the Arkuas.

For the memory module by Nanya was us a 512 MB PC266 DDR RAM Cl2. Established continue to we a still an ATA133 hard drive from Maxtor, the D740X-6 l with 40 GB storage capacity. Established for our test although not of importance, but for completeness here have mentioned, as a CD-ROM drive we a the 16/10/40 CD-writer of the Yamaha, the CRW 2100E company.

For the constant and reliable supply of electricity we Enermax PSU resorted to the well-known 431 Watts, EG465P-VE.

As a graphics card the Geforce3 was graphics card model from ASUS, the V8200, used.

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The test software

For testing the performance of two processors, we opted for four graphics benchmarks, decided three benchmarks to measure performance in the fields of integer and floating point calculation, as well as the transfer of memory. Two application benchmarks and three applications were still used.

The three graphics benchmarks were the well-known Madonion benchmarks, the 3DMark2000 v1. 1 and the new 3DMark2001 SE is used. Still, still the Aquamark comes v2. 3 and the GLMark of Vulpine to the course.

The computing power to compare, we used with the renowned Sandra benchmark in the version 2002 Pro, the PCMark2002 of Madonion and the Benchmark32 of chip, the computational burden of one to five simultaneous operations mist.

To test the performance with normal applications, the Sysmark2002 was used, which simulates the work with photo editor or publishing programs, such as such as Macromedia Dreamweaver, Photoshop and premiere from Adobe, or the Microsoft Office package. With the CineBench2002, we tested the performance in the field of 3D rendering, which simulates the well-known animation and Renderingprogramm Cinema 4 d XL.

Finally, we have yet tested how because the two processors in tasks such as mp3 conversion, DVD conversion, and the increasingly popular calculation of SETI@home behave. For the conversion of uncompressed audio we decided for the relatively unknown program of waver 2.66 files in WAV format to MP3 format. The advantage of waver is that he can convert two WAV files at the same time. Becoming increasingly popular lately converting DVDs to DivX movies we test with Xmpeg 4.5, a FlaskMPEG clones, which both processors can address, which is cast on a processor of the video and on the other processor of the audio stream. However, the conversion of audio streams required not so much computing power as that of the video stream, is the entire burden of the system only at about 80-85 percent. Still SETI@home for use, that calculated and separated with us on each processor ran data packets, so per processor once supported itself only a processor SETI@home at the same time, since it comes last.

As the operating system, we put a Windows XP Professional, because only two processors are supported from the professional version. The most common Home Edition supports only one processor. Graphics cards, we had to use the 23.11er to detonator, because a judder-free flow of Aquamark was possible only with him.

Here is a list a short summary of the test software:

• 3DMark 2000 v1. 1
• 3DMark 2001 SE
• Aquamark v2. 3
• Vulpine GLMark v1. 1 p
• PCMark2002
• Sandra 2002 Pro
• Chip Benchmark32
• Sysmark2002
• Cinebench2000
• Waver 2.66
• Xmpeg 4.5
• SETI@home

3DMark2000 v1. 1

The 3DMark2000 somewhat in the years come, optimized for DX7, shows a balanced picture of the three boards here. No wonder, because the benchmarks aimed at mainly on the video card. Here comes only the transfer of data from the CPU to the graphics card to play.

All three mainboards do here no nakedness. The boards are densely to close. A pass by again showed although other values, but only in the area of about 10 points, the distribution of the seats but remained the same. The amount of points is here in General slightly lower than with a comparable motherboard with only one processor. This is because that the two processors shared access to memory and thereby cause slight delays in data transfer to the video card.

3DMark2001SE

Here too, the latest benchmark of Madonion, 3DMark2001SE, optimized for DX8 and GeForce 4, had to show how to beat the systems with each other.

As otherwise expected, the new 3DMark2001 SE there is the same image as in the 3DMark2000. All motherboards are head to head. The small difference is marginal here, as well as the 2000s benchmark of Madonion. When repeated run of the benchmarks, the differences are more or less time 5 to 10 points.

Aquamark

The Aquamark, also a DX8 of benchmark, from massive development, is based on the blatantly engine as well as the game of Aquanox, is a cross made of synthetic tests and a RealWorld benchmark. Shown is a rich marine life. It is available for everyone so long, but unfortunately still not announced. Aquamark is also the reason why we have chosen for the detonator 23.11 as video driver. With the current drivers for nVidia graphics cards, no liquid process could be brought into being. A rhythmic stalling of the process prevented any sensible result.

Also here as in the two previous graphic benchmarks the same image. Only the Tyan makes a light, Schnitzer, is the maximum number of frames per second also insignificant, and continues with 4.1 images of less per second at the end of the test box.

Vulpine GLMark 1.1

The Vulpine GLMark by the German software manufacturer Vulpine is this time not as the 3DMark2000 and 3DMark2001 purely on DX8 optimized. It is a pure OpenGL benchmark.

Even at the last graphic benchmark it looks not much different. No significant differences between the boards.

Sandra2002 Pro

We come now to the benchmarks, which should show the processing power of the mainboards. The beginning we make Pro version of SiSoftware with the popular Sandra benchmark, in the current 2002.

In the calculation of integers, as well as in the computation with floating point numbers the mainboards are to close close. The small difference between the values is less than one percent. However, here you can see a trend in which the precedence seems already given. The Asus is located before the MSI and the Tyan.

Also in the multi-media section of Sandra benchmarks the same image. The differences are here below a percent.

A small change resulted in the memory benchmark to determine the data transfer rate between the CPU and memory. Here, the MSI has the nose slightly in front, the difference was maintained even after repeated repetition of the test.

PCMark2002

The PCMark 2002 is a relatively new benchmark that should determine the performance of the entire system of Madonion. A series of tests called for mainly the processors and memory. Also the hard disk is checked for their performance there. On the publication of the results of the individual parts we do not here however. Thus, the PCMark2002 provides us with only a score for the processor performance, the memory, and access to the hard disk.

But here too we have seen no significant change. All three mainboards are virtually neck and neck in this benchmark. The ASUS before the MSI and the Tyan.

Chip Benchmark32

The Benchmark32 of chip shows the load at a certain number of simultaneously TCPI tasks. We have here the appearance of one, two and five concurrent threads limited to.

When calculating a task with integers, the boards are still neck and neck. But when two tasks that address both processors, it looks very different. While the Asus and the MSI are still close to each other, the Tyan motherboard falls back dramatically. The distance remains the same three passes of the benchmark after three. Interesting way the Tyan at five gets up at the same time to TCPI tasks and is now even at the top. Still with the other two boards at the same level.

The results of floating point calculations of test again deliver the same picture, as is known from the previouse benchmarks. All three mainboards are almost equally fast.

The data transfer test between the CPU and main memory, a different image benchmarks evident in the third part of the chip. While a thread all in the usual way lie close together, it looks very different at two and five thread. Unchallenged in the first place: the ASUS. But the MSI with Tyan have swapped two tests now second place. Difference between the candidates each over six percent. This is nevertheless enormous, given the short distances of the previous test.

Sysmark2002

Now to benchmarks that simulate working with well-known applications. Here of the Sysmark2002, which symbolizes the daily work with popular applications. To WinZip among Macromedia Dremweaver 4.0 and Flash v5 of Adobe Photoshop 6 and Premiere 6, the Office package from Microsoft, 8, or Netscape Communicator 6, just name a few.

But as was no different to expect all motherboards are equal. However, we must say that not all applications fully saturate the two processors. Unfortunately, a pleasant working with the dual-processor of boards can not play the benchmark.

Cinebench2000

The second application benchmark, the Cinebench2000 from Maxon, is based on the rendering and animation program Cinema 4 d XL. This benchmark is divided into three parts and can be with the processor and render scenes different without the support of the graphics card (OpenGL).

Here the same image shows once more. Almost neck and neck are all three boards. Only when the raytracing with 2 CPUs, the Tyan with 0.3 points in the first place can put.

Waver 2.66

We come now to the most interesting tests. First converting WAV files to MP3 format. Because the MP3 codecs allow breakdown not calculate on more than one CPU, waver is gone a different way. Waver calculates two WAV files at once. Thus, a .wav file is encodet on each CPU. The case proceeded then if not both WAV files are of equal length, automatically one in front of the other finished, that is with the next .wav file. So shortened the time of encoding of WAV files on half of the time, if more than one file needs to be converted. To the test, we have twice used the same .wav file with 200 MB size, we at the same time converted into the MP3 format.

Here the MSI from the rest of the test field managed to get away this time. Both at the Frauenhofer MP3 codec and the lame codec the MSI is the nose clearly. Only with the blade codec, the MSI fell back to third place. Also interesting that the otherwise fast ASUS here not as fastest Board could score points.

Xmpeg 4.5

With popular convert of a DVD to a DivX AVI file want we consider whether a dual-processor motherboard especially pays. We have used a normal DVD, here the feature film Star Trek V, and have transformed it into the new DivX5 format. This was our goal that the final file size does not exceed 700 MB.

Therefore, we have made the following settings:

• Output format:
  • Video: DivX 5 Pro, 1-pass, 800 kbps, key: 12 frames
  • Audio: MPEG Layer-3, 128 Kbps, 48 KHz, stereo

• Project options:
  • Format 720 x 576, optimized MMC iDCT, RGB, MMX bilinear, trim on 720 x 352

• File size:
  • Goal: maximum 700 MByte

Also here again to see all three main boards do this job in almost the same time or with the same number of frames per second. Again, the Asus is a touch before the other two boards.

SETI@home

For all our Setian, burning forward, with a dual processor motherboard now in half of the time a WU (workunit) to crunchen (calculate), by saying, SETI is not dual-processor capable. We have made here during our test twice calculate the same standard WU with AR 0.417. The result of the used time refers to two calculated workunits. In other words, there are calculated in time by a two workunits.

Here the Asus shows his class, has scheduled the two workunits in 3 hours 34 minutes again once more. But also the MSI is very good in the period with his 3: 37 hrs. Only the Tyan managed it is unfortunately not on the hour mark to come. 4: 06 Hours the result for the Tyan.

Overclocking

We want to address a range of course here too. The overclocking. At the start to just say the dual boards much harder to overclock are as motherboards with only one processor. This is due mainly to the timing of the two CPUs. Another point is, the dual-processor of boards are unfortunately not always so well in terms of overclocking, as you are used to from single-processor of boards. If you the FSB (front side bus) can change that was already getting plenty. Where you also have to say, only since there are dual AMD boards, offers the possibility to change also the multiplier of the CPU. On the dual Intel boards that were formerly only available, changing the multiplier would have made no sense, because the multiplier at the Intel CPUs is fixed in the CPU.

ASUS A7M266-D

Let’s look at the ASUS first once. As in the description of BIOS explained, can be adjusted a lot here. However, it remains outside the multiplier of CPUs, it can be on the A7M266-D unfortunately not set. So only the FSB (front side bus). As otherwise lived from ASUS, this can be in increments of one. With the Athlon MP2000 + used in our test we tried first 140 MHz. These are little more than five percent more than the default clock of 133 MHz. We continued the memory timings on the optimal for Nanya modules values of 2-2-2. We provide the optimization, which can be set between normal mode and the Turbo mode, right on Turbo. We do not change the tension of CPUs can be set only by jumper. Well, the ASUS correctly boosts, Windows XP starts also correctly and a few subsequent runs of benchmarks confirm the supposition that the benchmark values change in the ratio of the higher FSB. The ASUS A7M266-D without complaint survives a continuous run of 3DMark2001SE overnight.

The next step in improving of the FSB (front side bus) we take 144 MHz. We leave everything else the same set. Again the ASUS starts without murmur to, also Windows XP boosts correctly, but after a few seconds, there is a reset and the ASUS restarts by itself. We can launch the ASUS once again, but the same image, the ASUS crashes completely after a few seconds in Windows XP. We try to minimize the timings, but this is actually no alternative, because as a result, the Board is dramatically slower, but also with reduced timings, the Asus is not stable. The period up to the crash extended only to a few minutes. We then set the timings again to maximum, and slowly go back with the FSB. Only when the 140 MHz we managed to move the Board running stable. 141 MHz were also still possible, also 142 MHz ran stable at first glance, but some work with the Board, as for example with Internet Explorer to surf or listen to music, the ASUS brought to crash. Therefore only the statement stays that way, the ASUS can be stable with 140 MHz at sharpest timings operated. An increase of tension for the CPUs brought by the way, no effect.

MSI K7D Master-L

A dual-processor motherboard on the market, where you can adjust also the multiplier is now with the MSI K7D Master-L. Unfortunately, only up to 12,5. This helps us in our strong MP2000 + not much, since the 2000s is already running with 12.5. So, we proceed similarly in like with the ASUS, to the maximum FSB (front side bus) to determine. So we put the FSB on 140 MHz, one of the 11 stages with which you can adjust the FSB at the MSI again, we make the timings to 2-2 2, let the multiplier to 12,5 and we do not adjust the tension of two CPUs also. No problem for the MSI, the Board including Windows XP drive up correctly, and as already in the ASUS, the results of a short benchmarking in the same proportion increased again as the FSB.

Second attempt. 144 MHz are the closest value for the FSB which when the MSI. We leave all other values the same set. The calculator as well as Windows XP start without problems. However when the first benchmark, in a further attempt with the same settings turned out, that it made no difference what benchmark we ran; Windows always froze. A tap of the button only freed the MSI from its rigidity.

• r a peculiarity of the MSI was compelled to recognize only a processor Windows XP and Windows 2000 to already noticeable. Although two processors appear on the home screen, Windows starts not with both. You can see the good in the Task Manager, there exists only a field for CPU usage. Also a repeated shut down, or a reset, not always help. Only a cold start, so turning off the computer with the power supply switch, led in most cases Windows again with two processors to start.

Now, but back to the changing of the FSB. So after Windows froze after the adjustment of the FSB on 144 MHz, we tried the same FSB increase the voltage for the CPU. We were 1.80 V and newly started the computer. Start everything as usual, computer and operating system, and we try a benchmark. Looks great, the benchmark runs through without falling or that the system froze. Even after three rounds of 3DMark2001SE, the MSI is still stable.

So far, so good. A setting for the FSB there were still in the MSI. The 150 MHz. We shut down the computer, so, make the FSB to 150 MHz, and for safety’s sake make the voltage equal to maximum, so 1.85 V. The machine starts to our astonishment, but when you start Windows, there is just a blue screen. A second start brings nothing. Also by a lowering of the timings, Windows could be persuaded to start with 150 MHz FSB. Since the MSI can adjust so the multiplier and the MPs are unlocked, we try to set the multiplier to persuade Windows now with 150 MHz FSB to start to 12.0 next. But here too, Windows crashed with a blue screen at startup. Also a lowering of the multiplier on 11.5 brought no success. To exclude that the memory no 150 MHz compatible, we have still short a 256 MB Nanya module in the PC333 execution attempts, however no launch fails to successfully from Windows. Thus, it remains only to say 144 MHz the MSI with the sharpest timings is very stable, at least with the available at our Athlon MP2000 +.

Tyan Tiger MPX

Last Board for overclocking test may refer to the Tyan Tiger MPX. As stated in the description of BIOS and the Board already, there’s not much to set. Only the FSB (front side bus) can be changed. No timings of the storage ties, no increase of the tension, nothing but the FSB can be adjusted here. Oh well, we let them not deter us, and so also put the FSB on 140 MHz like the other boards as a first attempt. Boosts the machine, Windows XP starts, but hardly we signed us – blue screen. Oh dear. So reset and the FSB to 138 MHz. Start – but here again: just a blue screen after logging in. The lower setting is 136 MHz. We do not expect that we can log into the Windows, but oh miracle, we come in, and can run some benchmarks. Also working with other applications was 136 MHz problem-free. A running overnight 3DMark2001SE as a stability test brought the motherboard from Tyan not to crash. Much can therefore the Tyan Tiger MPX not overclock, but this is, and never was the claim by Tyan. Rather, Tyan is known by his good server motherboards.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the temperatures of CPUs between 51 and 55 degrees amounted to 23 degree room temperature. Perhaps also interesting that the MP2000 + in the übertaktetem State at a higher temperature than 57 degrees not more stable ran. Spontaneous resets and freezes were the result that only no longer occurred after a lowering of the 133 MHz FSB. In the unübertakteten state the boards, and the CPUs ran, stable even at 64 degrees.

Cost

We come now to the cost of a dual-processor motherboard. First course at the cost of a second processor. Since this also chilled are of course also it for a second CPU cooler wants. Not to mention the mainboard. Who re-tooling from an existing system, can use all of its components. Only, is whether there is sufficient ventilation in the housing, because two Athlons produce a considerable amount of heat. A MIDI-tower with at least two case fan must be already there, which still low cost would create.

Since the MP processors intended for multiprocessor operation are always somewhat more expensive than the normal XP processors, it offers is to use the XPs instead of the MPs. A short test with the normal XP processors was problem-free. All three boards were running in our comparison test with Athlon XP1800 + processors. However, it will be difficult now to get even XP processors, which are carrying out their service in dual mode, because AMD has removed this feature from the XPs since 1.2.2002, which the current XPs for a dual mode are disabled. However, it may be that the one or the other dealer has a few older XP on Commons. It should be, that the XPs have a brown body, and does not exceed the production week and year, 0208 for the eighth week of production in 2002, in the second line. The first two numbers represent the year, the second for the week. Because only you are capable of the old production and thus dual operation.

Impressions & conclusion

All tested motherboards left a good impression during the test. The boards are well processed, well equipped and easily during commissioning. Only by the two 64 bit PCI slots, which allow not the operation of older PCI cards, because they have no hack, is it somewhat limited.

&Lt; div > ASUS A7M266-D < div > positive properties

• Scope of delivery
• Stability
• Overclocking
• Documentation
• 6-Channel sound

Especially in regard to the processing power, the ASUS we made a good figure. Unfortunately, it has no on-board USB, so one is forced to waste a PCI slot with the USB PCI card. If you must add a network card, then still as Yes the Asus has also not on-board, already two of the five PCI slots are omitted.

&Lt; div > MSI K7D Master-L < div > positive properties

• Scope of delivery
• Excellent overclocking
• Anschaubbohrungen for CPU cooler
• Onboard USB
• Onboard LAN

The MSI Board has slightly annoyed us. Every time when the only one processor was detected in Windows XP and in Windows 2000. This forced us the Board several times to restart have been detected until finally both parts. Despite the many restarts, but we have seen no regularity. Only that Windows often correctly recognized the two processors, if one has the computer off and turned on could we designate as regularity.

&Lt; div > Tyan Tiger MPX < div > positive properties

• Many fan connections
• Stability
• Onboard LAN

With the Tiger MPX everything was, however, problem-free. It is although not the fastest, and the BIOS is also to be desired, but to compensate for the 6 PCI slots and the on-board LAN interface. Here there is still a lot of space for additional expansion cards.

Problems with software, not with something older or even newer software, by the two processors were not encountered. In a load test, where on two processors SETI@home ran, at the same time a CD on-the-fly was burned, music was heard concurrently, ran a download of an 80 MB file in the background and was surfing on the Internet still in the process, any of the test candidates caused the least problems. On the contrary, you can just continue to work as if you had only the currently active application open. On the whole, one can say that a dual-processor motherboard, in any case his money is worth if you work much with his PC. For games freaks is a dual-processor motherboard, from the perspective of higher performance in games, no purchase Basic. Because very few games support two processors.

We have the dual-processor of motherboard a