We measured the overall performance of this motherboard using SYSmark2004, which is a software that simulates the use of real-world applications. Thus, we consider this the best software to measure, in practical terms, the system performance.

The benchmarks are divided into two groups:

• Internet Content Creation: Simulates the authoring of a website containing text, images, videos and animations. The following programs are used: Adobe After Effects 5.5, Adobe Photoshop 7.01, Adobe Premiere 6.5, Discreet 3ds Max 5.1, Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, Macromedia Flash MX, Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9, McAfee VirusScan 7.0 and Winzip 8.1.
• Office Productivity: Simulates the use of an office suite, i.e. simulates sending e-mails, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. The following programs are used: Adobe Acrobat 5.05, Microsoft Office XP SP2, Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1, NaturallySpeaking 6, McAfee VirusScan 7.0 and Winzip 8.1.

The software delivers specific results for each batch and also an overall performance result, all in a specific SYSmark2004 unit.

We ran this software in two scenarios. First using the motherboard on-board video, comparing its performance to the only other motherboard with on-board video compatible with Core 2 Duo we had available, which was ECS G33T-M2 (Intel G33 Express).

Then we disabled the board on-board video and installed an overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS from MSI to compare it with a MSI P35 Platinum, which is a high-end socket 775 motherboard based on Intel P35 chipset. Our idea was to see if this motherboard would achieve the same performance level of a high-end motherboard when we installed a high-end video card on it. Since on SIS 672FX reference board we could set our memories to run only up to 800 MHz, we also set our memories at this clock rate with MSI P35 Platinum, even though we were using DDR2-1066 memories and that this motherboard allows them to run at 1,066 MHz, otherwise we would have an unfair comparison.

With its on-board video enabled SiS 672FX reference board achieved an overall performance 10.09% lower than ECS G33T-M2 (Intel G33 Express). Its Internet Content Creation performance was 5.37% lower than ECS G33T-M2 and its Office Productivity performance was 14.72% lower.

When we installed our overclocked GeForce 8800 GTS on the reviewed board it kept the same performance level – far lower than a high-end motherboard. This means that by installing a “real” video card on this motherboard it WON’T achieve the same performance level of a high-end or even a mainstream motherboard without on-board video. Under this scenario MSI P35 Platinum achieved an overall score 9.09% higher, an Internet Content Creation score 4.39% higher and an Office Productivity score 13.79% higher.