11 - Performance - Dhrystone | Queen
DhryStone CPU test
We make use of a multi-threaded Dhrystone test from SiSoftware Sandra, which basically is a suite of arithmetic and string manipulating programs. Since the whole program should be really small, it fits into the processor cache. It can be used to measure two aspects, both the processor's speed as well as the optimizing capabilities of the compiler. The resulting number is the number of executions of the program suite per second.
The DhryStone test pure CPU test that runs completely on the CPU itself. A perfect test to see the general efficiency per core.
Well, you get the picture already I guess. Dhrystone remains one of the most simple yet extremely accurate and effective ways to show you RAW CPU processing performance.
Colored In deep Green the Core i7 920
Colored In light Green the Core i7 965 Extreme
Colored In Yellow the Core i7 965 Extreme overclocked at 3600 MHz (no voltage change, stock air cooler).
Other processors are the fastest AMD Phenom available the X4 9950 Black Edition, the always charming Core 2 Quad Q6600. And on the high-end scope of Socket LGA Core 2 processors, the 1300 USD QX9770 processor.
Now what I like you to do is constantly compare that 1300 USD QX9770 to the Core i7 920 at sub 300 USD.
Queen CPU test
This simple integer benchmark focuses on the branch prediction capabilities and the misprediction penalties of the CPU. It finds the solutions for the classic "Queens problem" on a 10 by 10 sized chessboard. At the same clock speed theoretically the processor with the shorter pipeline and smaller misprediction penalties will attain higher benchmark scores. For example -- with HyperThreading disabled -- the Intel Northwood core processors get higher scores than the Intel Prescott core based ones due to the 20-step vs 31-step long pipeline. However, with enabled HyperThreading the picture is controversial, because due to architectural bottlenecks the Northwood core runs out of internal resources and slows down. Similarly, at the same clock speed AMD K8 class processors will be faster than AMD K7 ones due to the improved branch prediction capabilities of the K8 architecture.
Update - we found discrepancies in our Queen test resutls due to an older revision of Everest software. Since it would be unfair to Intel, we decided to take the Queen results offline. All future CPU reviews will be re-tested with updated results.
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