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Review: MSI Eclipse SLI - SLI or CrossFireX: the choice is yours

by James Smith on 27 November 2008, 08:57 3.45

Tags: Eclipse SLI, MSI, PC

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qap6l

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Test: Multithreaded benchmarks

WAV encoding of 717MB file
MSI X48 PlatinumIntel SmackoverMSI Eclipse SLI
8888.7888

DivX 6.8.3 + LAME encoding, enhanced multithreading on
MSI X48 PlatinumIntel SmackoverMSI Eclipse SLI
221179.55180

CINEBENCH R10 64-bit - multi-CPU render
MSI X48 PlatinumIntel SmackoverMSI Eclipse SLI
140591833418460

[graph 716]

As seen in our recent Core i7 coverage, multi-threaded benchmarks are where the two 965 Extreme Edition-based systems should shine, and in this regard the MSI eclipse doesn't disappoint. Performing on par with the equivalent Intel SmackOver board and leaves the incumbent X48 based system for dead in all but the lightly-threaded MP3 encoding test.

Enabling Turbo Boost does provide more performance, of course, but it doesn't capitalise fully on the clock-speed increase, because the speed-up is only three per cent in this case.  Still, any performance gain for free shouldn't be grumbled at, especially when it's more or less guaranteed to work just as reliably with it enabled.