ASRTD486.WSK is a grab-bag of results from 25 486 machines tested
with WindSock 3.0x, with the addition of 4 results from 486s found
in the sample .WSK files that came with WindSock 3.20.


CPU Performance:

As you would expect, the 486DX2/66s are fastest. There seems to be
two classes of '66s: The Zeos, Maxum and NCR machines return optimal
performance for their CPUs. There appears to be some kind of problem
with the Contaq, HP Vectra and No-Name Clone machines, perhaps to do
with the external cache controller. [The No-Name Clone was selected
as representive of a number of observations].

Amongst the 486/50s, the DECpc and Zenon stand out as winners. There
seems to be only a minor difference in the CPU speeds of DX and DX2
50s.

The Packard Bell 486SX/25 is interesting, this machine has been upgraded
with an Overdrive/25 chip. To observe the impact of adding an Overdrive
CPU to a 486SX, contrast the HP Vectra 486s/20s. One is standard, and the
other has an Overdrive/20 added. Using the 'Review Results' window, you
can see that the CPU, Video, and Disk performance of the system is greatly
improved just by putting in a faster CPU.

There are no suprises among the 486/33s and SXs, the motherboard
manufacturers have got these CPUs under control and all the results are
similar.

A lone example of the Cyrix 486DLC is included, again selected as
representitive of a number of No-Name Clones. The Cyrix puts in a
respectable performance, rating slightly lower than an Intel 486DX/33
based system. I do not know of any 'Name-Brand' systems using the Cyrix
chip, all the examples I have are clones.


Video Performance:

The winner in this area is the Zenon 486DX/50. This test was run with
WindSock 3.02, and I would like to see the 3.1 or 3.2 figures on this one.

The Video Performanceresults are more variable, because the Video cards
and drivers used vary a lot, but the faster machines generally do better
at Video too. The fastest 486DX/33 is the Compaq M-Series machine which
rates slightly better than the Gateway 2000 486/33 which has local bus
video. The EISA bus on the Compaq is probably responsible for this (but
the Compaq's QVISION card is very good).
 
The advantages of Local Bus Video are shown by the differences between
the two Gateway 486/33s - video performance is almost doubled.


Disk Performance:

The disk drives in all modern machines have very similar performance
characteristics. The differences in disk performance are usually
attributable to caching. The faster machines also usually have faster
memory and system cache, and can also execute the caching software more
effectively.

The disk performance of all these machines tracks the CPU speed fairly well.
Note the difference between the two HP Vectra SX/20s. Remember that what we
are testing here is not the raw speed of the disk drive(s), but the total
amount of I/O work done in a certain time interval.

The winner in this area, the Zeos 486DX2/66 is using the Hyperdisk cache
software rather than SmartDrive - an area worth exploring as Hyperdisk is
(last time I heard) Shareware.


Memory Performance:

The DECpc 450ST returned the best memory speed we have EVER seen. This
machine is a full 486DX/50 with a 50Mhz motherboard, and this illustrates
why you might like to think about a full 50 rather than a DX2, which has
a 25MHz motherboard.

The Memory speed tracks motherboard speed fairly closely, except where
the manufacturer has cut corners and implemented a sub-optimal memory
sub-system. 66's and 33's (33Mhz MBs) Score around 220. DX2 50's and
25's (25Mhz MBs) score 180 - 200. The two HP Vectra SX/20s get 150.

The systems below the two Vectra SX's in performance have problems.
The designers of these motherboards probably rushed out these systems
to cash in on '486 fever' before they had worked out an adequate 
memory sub-system. Actually, no memory chips can keep up with most of
these systems, so to get optimal performance you need to use a memory
controller with 4-way interleave etc. etc. - but of course it's 
cheaper if you don't!


Overall Performance:

And the winner is: The Zeos 486DX2/66. The CPU speed of this system,
plus the Hyperdisk cache, makes it the best Windows system reviewed
here. After looking at these results, I guess that if I was looking
for a new system, I'd look for a '66 with a decent memory sub-system
and lots of memory (but not too expensive - of course).


Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt