Is SuperPi FSB limited or CPU limited?

[MichaelD]

I'm on a benchmarking binge today. 🙂 I ran SuperPi on my system and was wondering if it's a CPU or FSB limited benchmark?

 

[Shimmishim]

more cpu power, the faster it'll be.... i.e. 3600 > 3500

the tighter the mem timings, the faster it'll be at a given speed... i.e. 3600 with 4-4-4-12 > 3600 with 5-5-5-15 (assuming same mult and fsb)

> meaning faster

 

[Shimmishim]

if you're asking if 10 x 360 with 4-4-4-12 vs. 9 x 400 with 4-4-4-12, the 9 x 400 should be faster due to greater bandwidth.

now 10x360 @ 3-3-3-8 vs. 9x400 @ 4-4-4-12... not sure about.

 

[n7]

CPU limited primarily, but FSB/RAM bandwidth & especially RAM timings play a huge factor as well.

There are multiple factors really.

 

[lopri]

On 680i memory configuration can easily make up for 200MHz CPU difference in Super PI. But be careful with memory timings. Too tight a timing can corrupt the entire OS installation and it only needs one shot. 😀

 

[tersome]

Originally posted by: lopri
On 680i memory configuration can easily make up for 200MHz CPU difference in Super PI. But be careful with memory timings. Too tight a timing can corrupt the entire OS installation and it only needs one shot. 😀

It usually just corrupts the boot files. You can fix it by putting in your XP install disk, going to the repair console, and typing "fixboot".

Some boards change fsb straps in certain places. 400mhz fsb is significantly faster than 401mhz fsb on a P5B Deluxe.

 

[Shimmishim]

that's due to the 1066 -> 1333 strap change.

you can always boot up at 399 and then clockgen up to get better results.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
that's due to the 1066 -> 1333 strap change.

you can always boot up at 399 and then clockgen up to get better results.

Did you see that guy over at XS that clock gen'd all the way upto 540Mhz on the 1066 strap? :shocked:

It was in the Asus Commando thread, and I?m getting mine in a few hours 😀

 

[Shimmishim]

Originally posted by: RichUK

Originally posted by: Shimmishim
that's due to the 1066 -> 1333 strap change.

you can always boot up at 399 and then clockgen up to get better results.

Did you see that guy over at XS that clock gen'd all the way upto 540Mhz on the 1066 strap? :shocked:

It was in the Asus Commando thread, and I?m getting mine in a few hours 😀

nice! 🙂

wish there was a US mobo manufacturer so we could get it first! all you overseas people get chips and mobo's before us! 🙂

 

[Hulk]

My tests show the biggest factor to be CPU, then L2 cache, then FSB/memory subsystem.

This is based on my T7200 with 4MB L2 but much slower memory/FSB subsystem being less efficient per clock cycle than my E6400 running at 3.2, FSB 1600, 800 memory 4-4-4-12.