Labs

CPU megatest

We put every CPU through its paces in a rigorous series of tests using real-world applications such as Word, Access and Photoshop. The Overall result is relative to a score of 1 from our reference PC - a dual-core 3.2GHz Pentium D 840 system with 1GB of PC3200 RAM and a 10,000rpm Western Digital Raptor hard disk. If a processor scores 1.10, it's 10% faster than our reference machine overall.

To ensure as fair a test as possible, we use identical components to test Intel and AMD CPUs, with the obvious exception of the motherboard. For AMD parts, we use an Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe, while Intel CPUs are tested on the Intel D975XBX. Celeron Ds aren't supported by this chipset, so we use a Foxconn P9657AA-8EKRS2H. The remaining components are: 1GB of Corsair 800MHz DDR2 memory, a Western Digital Raptor and an Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT.

Beneath each review, you'll find a table summarising the family, along with each model's benchmark score and Overall rating. This rating is a combination of the performance of the CPU, the features it offers and its value for money within the group. The graph below gives an at-a-glance indicator of value: use the general trend line along the bottom of the cluster to pick out the model that sits closest to your budget. This way, you can be sure you'll get the best performance for your money.