abit LG-95C vs. ASUS P5E-V HDMI
Performance tests
While determining the starting FSB speed, it turned out
that the abit board sets it at a very high precision, whereas the ASUS
board overstates it by 1.3 MHz.
In our test setup, we used the following hardware:
Note that we have switched to using the Vista operating
system. On the one hand, that is a call of the times (the year 2008 is
already there) and this OS offers more advanced (as compared to the XP)
tools for administration and control, which is a great advantage for
corporate users. On the other hand, we can't help noting the higher
system requirements of this operating system, which degrades the
already low operating speed of value systems. Nevertheless, developers
of chipsets concentrate their efforts at debugging drivers just for
Vista, to the detriment of XP. In the long run, that will end up in
that XP will be forced out by Vista.
Now, regarding the drivers. The new version of Intel's
graphic drivers has introduced certain changes to the operation of
integrated chipsets, and we have to note some special traits. Above
all, the new drivers have not brought any substantial improvements to
the 945GC chipset. For the G35, we note a higher image quality, as well
as more expanded functionality (Comanche does start up!). But the
higher quality has negatively affected the operating speed, which has
gone down to some extent. However, in the X2 test we can see a
substantial drop of performance. On the other hand, the image quality
is simply fantastic and is not inferior to NVIDIA chipsets (asteroids
on the screen are just asteroids and not dark spots as they used to
be).
As regards the selection of test applications, we plan
to introduce radical changes thereto. However, that does not apply to
the integrated boards whose performance is hardly enough for "ancient"
games. If we run Crysis or Company of Heroes on any integrated graphic
core, we get 100 - 200 frames per hour (not per second).
Let's first take a look at the results of synthetic
benchmarks.
Now on to the gaming benchmarks.
Another test - WinRar (Kb/s.; the more, the better)
We have also conducted a series of tests with an
external video card and found out that the performance in this mode
makes almost no difference from the operating speed of a system based
on P35. That holds true for both ASUS P5E-VM HDMI and abit LG-95C. The
latter is especially unexpected because the abit board is based on the
relatively "old" i945GC.
Final Words
First of all, we note that ASUS P5E-VM HDMI and abit
LG-95C fall within different sectors of the market and do not compete
against one another. It is very easy to determine the purpose of the
abit motherboard: that is a product for undemanding users who are not
into high operating speed (which is equivalent to support for Core 2
Duo processors). This board offers basic expansion options,
nevertheless the board offer a choice: to use integrated graphic core
or install an external video card. At the same time, the unique trait
of abit LG-95C is in two PCI Express x16 slots (you won't be able to
install two modern video cards because the slots are positioned too
close to one another). And perhaps at $60 it is the only option with
such functionality. We also note that this board is absolutely
non-typical for abit – it completely lacks any overclocking
tools.
As regards ASUS P5E-VM HDMI, all is fine with
overclocking in this motherboard. At all the other specifications
(expansion options, support for proprietary technologies), there are
also no complaints but one - the price: the board costs over $175! At
the same time, the full-featured ATX motherboard ASUS P5E-V HDMI (with
two PCI Express x16 slots) of which we talked in the beginning of the
review cost almost as much - $185 («Sunrise-PRO»;
early January, 2008). Needless to say, it is more advantageous to buy
an ASUS P5E-V HDMI because you will make more value for money and,
besides, the drop of prices for MicroATX versions is progressing much
faster.
On the other hand, the small-size ASUS P5E-VM HDMI is
the best solution for building a compact home-based entertainment
center with the option of plugging in two monitors. Using a single
monitor (or a TV-set), the user can watch HDTV-video, while the other
user working at the second monitor. In fact, the small size of the
board is its only advantage. On the other hand, ASUS P5E-V HDMI allows
for a simultaneous use of the integrated video core and an external
video card while plugging in four monitors! According to today's
prices, this motherboard costs merely $10 as cheap.
Now let's sum it all up:
Conclusion
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ASUS P5E-VM HDMI
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abit LG-95C
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Pros:
- high stability and good performance level;
- graphic core Intel GMA X3500 and one PCI
Express x16 slot;
- support for SerialATA II (6 links; ICH9R);
- support for one P-ATA link (JMB363);
- integrated 8-channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet
LAN controller;
- support for USB2.0 (12 ports) and IEEE-1394
(Firewire; 2 ports);
- support for HDMI.
Cons:
The board's specific features:
- well developed overclocking tools + good
results.
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Pros:
- high stability and good performance level;
- graphic core Intel GMA X950;
- two PCI Express x16 slots;
- support for SerialATA II (4 links; ICH7);
- support for one P-ATA link (ICH7R);
- low price!
Cons:
The board's specific features:
- overclocking tools missing.
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