It seems like ages have passed since we tested internal HDD, so we decided to introduce you one hard disk. Full name of this model, WD Caviar SE16 6400AAKS-00A7B0 reveals to eagle-eye so many things. This HDD has 16MB cache memory and 640GB capacity. Connection with motherboard is accomplished through SATA2 standard.
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Most users are irritated with noise that their computer makes. Therefore, we can find on the market numerous “silent” solutions that will solve that particular problem. Yet, there is always “BUT”. With summer heats on the way it is just impossible to cool your processor with passive cooler. But, Cooler Master has a solution even to this problem.
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Since the number of motherboards based on AMD 780G chipset gets bigger and bigger, we decided to compare them forthright and to identify possible differences. Popularity of this chipset is shown in accessibility of motherboard based on it, superb integrated graphics and few more useful options. This kind of systems are great for multimedia computers because 780G will provide for this type of machines enough performances and of course, like any ATi, good display of colors.
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We get used to test fast RAM memories from Kingston Company. Hyper X brand was, until now, associated with fastest RAM modules. Still, Kingston decided to utilize this very recognisable brand on other Kingston products. So, thanks to that we were introduced to Kingston DataTravel HyperX USB flash memory. Of course, right from the start, we figured that we got one very fast device (brand name can tell you a lot), but we couldn’t know, how fast...
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Radeon HD4800 series of graphics cards is real refreshment in these days. Every new generation of GPU brought a big shift in performances and ATi this time showed us that top model graphics chip (RV770) doesn’t have to be expensive. Based on experience from previous HD3850 and HD3870 models, we expected that new model HD4870 will dominate in middle-high class, with lower price and higher performances than other competitors. But, we were wrong… Tests showed something quite unexpected. Still, before benchmark results let’s see what new GPU offers.
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After presenting the new 690G chipset, it was logical to assume that AMD was to present some new CPUs as well that would fit in well with the new motherboards. As 690G-based motherboards are basically tiny multimedia devices on which everything is integrated, from LAN controllers and sound subsystem to graphics outputs (VGA, DVI and HDMI), it's certain that computers based on these are rather small power-consumers. To fulfil the expectations, AMD released a new processor series, which is even more rational and efficient as far as power consumption is concerned.
X2 processors consumed 89 W up to now, but this was decreased by 30% with the new series, down to a value of 65 W. The new model name, Athlon X2 BE-2350, is a bit odd, because AMD has never marked its processors with "performance rating" numbers not rounded up to 100. The new processors can be recognized by their serial numbers, where the last two letters must be "DD", e.g. "ADH2350IAA5DD", as with our test sample.
Once we finished mounting the processor, upon entering the BIOS, we certainly had something to see - as the processor is based on Brisbane core, the voltage that it needed in order to work was only 1.15 V. This is truly great, because, if AMD already cannot compete with the opposing team in terms of performance in the lowest segment, it's nice to see them trying to at least beat them in terms of power consumption. The processor is clocked at 2.1 GHz, which is great, bearing the voltage in mind. An Athlon X2 3800+ with the Windsor core needed 0.1 V more to work at a 100 MHz lower clock.
As far as L2 cache memory is concerned, there is 2x512 KB of it, which is more than enough for the tasks intended for this Athlon. The L1 cache is an already standard 256 KB. As this CPU is probably going to be working in computers of less-demanding users, we didn't opt for "hardcore" overclocking this time. Instead, we decided to reach the maximum possible stable clock while sticking to the default voltage. The results are quite nice - 2.5 GHz with 1.15 V. That is a most satisfactory clock, and we are sure that the more advanced users are going to provide higher voltages in order to get an additional 200-300 MHz. The multiplier of this processor is 10.5, which is equal to the multiplier of Athlon X2 4000+.
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AMD Athlon X2 BE-2350
Sandra 2007
CPU
15.291 / 12.935
Multimedia
39.660 / 43.242
Memory
4.831 / 4.821
Latency
89 ns
3DMark03 CPU Score
799
3DMark05 CPU Score
4.950
CineBench
576
DivX
85.9 fps
Nuclearus
4.852
WinRAR
944 KB/s
Testbed: Biostar 7050, 2x1GB TwinMOS DDR800, Win XP
This makes us believe that models BE-2300 and BE-2350 are something of a "low-power" replacement for models X2 3600+ and X2 4000+. Performance is quite OK, almost equal to the old models they should replace. There is some difference, though, as the 100 MHz difference in clock compared to its predecessor still brings the new CPU a tiny advantage. This, of course, isn't enough to beat the competition, but AMD seems to be well-aware of that, so this processor's target market isn't overclockers, but office and home users, to whom CPU performance is hardly on the list of priorities.
It must never be neglected that consumption is the main characteristic of this CPU. Also, since the CPU works @ 2.5 GHz with only 1.15 V, it can be assumed that, with better cooling and a voltage of around 1.4 V, this piece can work @ ~3 GHz, which many owners on the Internet confirm. Even if this information isn't correct, we rest sure that this processor will find its way to buyers that want a tiny, silent and power-saving computer.
Processors 
