Testing
I already told you that this processor proved to be an example of instability, which is why I won't publish any results at this time. However, I would like to share my experiences with you, also to show that I really tried hard.
- First try was on a BX board, the Asus P3B-F . This board turned out to be the only one that I could find a brand new BIOS for, which seems to include the micro code update, because it did not complain at POST. It scored some whooping 175 fps in Q3 at 640x480 in NORMAL mode. However, I experienced numerous crashes in Sysmark2000 and it was completely impossible to perform the Linux Kernel Compilation. Therefore I had to mark this platform as a fail.
- After the super high performance solution with BX at 133 MHz FSB didn't work out I tried Intel's very own OR840 motherboard, which is based on the i840 chipset with dual-Rambus channel. After several system hangs even in Quake 3 I gave up on it.
- Next try was one of my beloved i820 platforms with my favorite RDRAM memory. I used the Asus P3C-L motherboard. The Q3A frame rate was of course only some 'mediocre' 157 fps, but I was unable to run my Evolva 3D benchmark even once. Sysmark2000 crashed right after the start and Linux was barely able to boot.
- Eventually I went for a platform based on VIA's Apollo Pro 133A chipset, the Asus P3V4X motherboard. This combination turned out to be the worst, as I was not even able to reach the Windows98 desktop.
All of those platforms performed fine and flawless when I clocked the Pentium III 1133 down to 850 MHz. Those platforms had also no problems with my 1 GHz Pentium III.
I am already in touch with Intel and Asus to get me the latest micro code update and then I will run all those tests for you and see if it helps increase the reliability of the new Intel processor. Stay tuned for an early update.
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