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Mac Pro with Windows Experience Index

umgoblue2008

umgoblue2008

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 6, 2008
100
0
So I just got my entry level quad nehalem Mac Pro with 3GB of ram+GT 120. I really dig it so far. After I installed 32 bit windows 7 (should I install 64 bit version though i only have 3 GB of ram?), I get a 5.5 subscore for RAM. Now I have another PC with i7 and 3 GB of ram bought from Newegg, and it scored a 7.7. Does anyone know why the large discrepancy here?

Here's the RAM i bought for my PC.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231222
 
Your score is only as high as the slowest component
So what were the scores for the individual subsystems?
 
Smacky said:
Your score is only as high as the slowest component
So what were the scores for the individual subsystems?
Click to expand...

Nehalem Mac Pro:
Processor: 7.4
Memory: 5.5
Graphics: 5.9
Gaming Graphics: 5.4
Primary Hard desk: 5.9

custom built pc (Core i7 920 2.66 ghz, 3 GB ram, radeon 4870, 640 GB @ 7200RPM)
Processor: 7.4
Memory: 7.7
Graphics: 6.5
Gaming graphics: 6.5
Primary Hard Desk: 5.9

I understand the other categories, just wondering why the memory difference is so large?
 
The PC ram is faster (1333MHz), and the X58 is a more suitable memory controller for I/O.
 
umgoblue2008 said:
Isn't it similar for the Nehalem Mac Pro? I thought these Xeon chips in the Pro are very similar to the i7s?
Click to expand...

Yes it applies to both. My point was that the memory controller isn't in the x58 chipset.

I haven't studied the RAM in your Mac Pro but I would assume that it's ECC memory (slower) as well as probably running at a lower frequency.

Is the Mac Pro RAM configured to run triple-channel?
 
brentsg said:
Yes it applies to both. My point was that the memory controller isn't in the x58 chipset.

I haven't studied the RAM in your Mac Pro but I would assume that it's ECC memory (slower) as well as probably running at a lower frequency.

Is the Mac Pro RAM configured to run triple-channel?
Click to expand...

I think that it does run in triple-channel. But you are right, the ECC memory is probably slower. Makes sense, thanks.
 
umgoblue2008 said:
I think that it does run in triple-channel. But you are right, the ECC memory is probably slower. Makes sense, thanks.
Click to expand...

What speed is the RAM in your i7?

The ECC shouldn't make that much of a difference... 1 clock cycle of latency I think.

Something's not right here or we don't have all the facts. :confused:
 
VirtualRain said:
What speed is the RAM in your i7?

The ECC shouldn't make that much of a difference... 1 clock cycle of latency I think.

Something's not right here or we don't have all the facts. :confused:
Click to expand...

G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-3GBNQ - Retail

so I'm thinking 1333?
 
Check for the operating mode of your SATA drivers. If they are legacy (and not AHCI) you will get reduced hard disk performance in Windows.

Edit: sorry I over read that the HD score was identical. So disregard my post.
 
wetrix said:
1333 MHz > 1066 MHz

Kind of sad that such a beast is outperformed here by the i7
Click to expand...

I agree. Even though I paid ~1200$ more for my MP, I like how its dead quiet (with GT 120, not sure about Radeon 4870) and its great looks+reliability.
 
gugucom said:
Check for the operating mode of your SATA drivers. If they are legacy (and not AHCI) you will get reduced hard disk performance in Windows.

Edit: sorry I over read that the HD score was identical. So disregard my post.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's tough to break a 5.9 hard drive score in Windows 7

umgoblue2008 said:
I agree. Even though I paid ~1200$ more for my MP, I like how its dead quiet (with GT 120, not sure about Radeon 4870) and its great looks+reliability.
Click to expand...
A passively cooled GPU is quite worth it.
 
umgoblue2008 said:
G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-3GBNQ - Retail

so I'm thinking 1333?
Click to expand...

We can only confirm if your (and likely everyone else's) Mac Pro memory is performing properly if we can get a core i7 windows benchmark at 1066... can you change your memory speed on your i7 rig to 1066 and re-run the index score? If it's close to the score you get with your Mac Pro then the riddle is answered... otherwise, there may be more to this.
 
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