Looking at the PCmark04 results on the prior page we see the first benefits and disadvantages of the Intel Dual core design. The benefits of having two cores really show through in the CPU tests, especially the multi tasking parts of the test, this results in an overall CPU score (and performance) in excess of all other CPU’s exept the Dual Core X2 4800+. As we mentioned earlier in the article, as the two cores on the Pentium D share the same system bus the memory bandwidth can become an issue and this is illustrated by the lower performance in this regard when compared to all of the other CPU’s.

Comparing the 820 to its direct competitor, the A64 3800+ shows that in CPU tasks the Pentium CPU is a clear leader whilst memory scores favour the A64 by a small margin. The margin isn’t significant enough to be noticeable "real world".

In Sisoft Sandra we see similar results. Arithmetic Drhystone performance is a strong point for the Pentium D where again it is only beaten by the much more expensive X2 whereas whetstone performance is comparable to the 3800+. Multimedia performance is even better with the Pentium D again competing with the 3.46EE and surpassing the FX57. The 3800+ just cant compete in this test. Finally on the memory bandwidth we again see the limitations of the shared bus, however the Pentium outperforms both 3800+ and FX57.

 

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