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CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 FX-51 Review :: Test Setup

09-23-2003 · Category: Hardware - Processors

By Doc Overclock

I used two different systems for this round of testing, one based on AMD's latest Athlon 64-FX and one based on Intel's P4 platform. I did these tests using system specs that used almost identical system parts for as much of an apple to apple comparison as we could get considering we are talking about two entirely different platforms here. AMD and Intel may use different roads to achieve their platform design both companies have a common goal and that is to run your software as fast and smooth as possible as to get your buying dollar. Both systems ran fine in the end game but initially the ASUS board had problems and needed a BIOS flash for 1002 BETA to 1002 to run stable a simple affair thanks to ASUS and their simple BIOS update procedure call EZ-Flash. I installed and ran the BETA Windows 64-bit OS but there was not enough clear evidence to support doing anything other than basic windows navigation in 64-bit mode and the 32-bit mode still does not have any ready for prime time software either. The CPU does run the 64-bit OS so the future will depend on software engineers and their enthusiasm to meet the demand.

AMD system

Motherboard: ASUS SK8N
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 FX-51 2.2GHz
Chipset: NVIDIA Nforce-3 Pro
Cooling: Ajigo
Memory: 2X256MB Kingston PC3200 ECC/Registered CAS 2.5
Hard Drive array: Dual Western Digital WD360 36GB, 10K RPM Serial ATA hard disk drives in Raid 0
Video: ASUS V9950 Ge-Force 3 Ultra 256MB
LAN: On-board 10/100
Sound: On-board Ac97

Intel system

Motherboard: DFI LAN Partyi875P
CPU: Intel P4 3.2GHz@800MHz
Chipset: Intel i875P
Cooling: Intel Retail Heatsink and Fan Combo
Memory: 2X512 Crucial PC3200 CAS 2.5
Hard Drive array: Dual Western Digital WD360 36GB, 10K RPM Serial ATA hard disk drives in Raid 0
Video: ASUS V9950 Ge-Force 3 Ultra 256MB
LAN: On-board Gigabit LAN
Sound: On-Board Ac97