PCMark Vantage simulates the use of real-world applications and gives scores for the following categories:

• PCMark
• Memories
• TV and Movies
• Gaming
• Music
• Communications
• Productivity
• HDD

For a detailed description of each one of these tests, please download and read the PCMark Vantage Reviewer’s Guide.

You can see the results for each category below. We are not going to compare the results for the Memories and HDD suites.

Comparing the results achieved using the on-board video, Phenom II X2 555 achieved the same performance level as Athlon II X4 620, being 25% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 11% faster than its main competitor, Core 2 Duo E7500.

When we installed a GeForce 9600 GT the performance difference increased, but Phenom II X2 555 was still at the same performance level as Athlon II X4 620, being 10% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 12% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.

On the TV and Movies benchmark with all systems using their on-board video, Phenom II X2 555 and Pentium E6300 achieved exactly the same performance, with Athlon II X4 620 being 23% faster. Here Athlon II X4 635 was 16% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.

With a GeForce 9600 GT installed, Athlon II X4 635 was 35% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500, and Phenom II X2 555 was 9% faster than Pentium E6300, but Athlon II X4 620 was 26% faster than Phenom II X2 555.

On the Gaming set with the on-board video enabled, Phenom II X2 555 and Athlon II X4 620 achieved the same performance level, with Phenom II X2 555 being 20% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 23% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.

When we installed our GeForce 9600 GT, Athlon II X4 620 was 12% faster than Phenom II X2 555, which in turn was 10% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 16% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.

On the Music benchmark with the on-board video enabled Phenom II X2 555 was 12% faster than Athlon II X4 620 and 7% faster than Pentium E6300. Here Core 2 Duo E7500 was 6% faster than Athlon II X4 635.

When we installed a GeForce 9600 GT, Phenom II X2 555 achieved the same performance level as Pentium E6300, being 6% faster than Athlon II X4 620. Core 2 Duo E7500 was only 3% faster than Athlon II X4 635 under this scenario.

On the Communications tests with on-board video enabled Phenom II X2 555 was 4% faster than Athlon II X4 620 and 11% faster than Pentium E6300.  Athlon II X4 635 was 15% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.

When we installed a GeForce 9600 GT Athlon II X4 635 was 12% faster than Core 2 Duo and Phenom II X2 555 achieved the same performance level as Athlon II X4 620, being 13% faster than Pentium E6300.

And finally on the Productivity benchmark Athlon II X4 620 was 10% faster than Phenom II X2 555, which in turn was 10% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 20% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500 on this test.

When we installed a GeForce 9600 GT Athlon II X4 620 was 9% faster than Phenom II X2 555, which in turn was 27% faster than Pentium E6300. Athlon II X4 635 was 16% faster than Core 2 Duo E7500.