Intel's New CC820 Motherboard Review

Conclusion

The Intel CC820 based board provides a fairly decent set of features: AGP 4X, lower cost SDRAM memory and UDMA66. However, the performance is absolutely horrible, especially in 3D intensive applications (over 13% slower than 440BX). The poor CPU and AGP buses (>1 GB/s) are starved for data from the slowed down main memory.

What good does a 133 MHz FSB and 4X AGP give you when the main memory can't keep up? It's obvious that the 82805 (MTH) was an afterthought from Intel. Just a patch to allow the system integrators a vehicle to push i820 based platforms combined with the Coppermine processors at a reasonable price.

The best bang for the buck, as far as Intel platforms go, is with a VIA Apollo Pro 133 or Intel 440BX platform. Both of these clearly outperform the CC820 (SDRAM) and keep pace with the VC820 (RDRAM). The price of RDRAM will have to come way down before i820-based platforms become a competitor with VIA, 440BX or Athlon based platforms.

I certainly wouldn't purchase an i820-based motherboard just yet. Not until RDRAM pricing comes WAY down and/or there is proof of its superior performance. I just can't see spending $900 + bucks for 128 MB of RDRAM memory. Especially since the performance advantage is minimal if any...