The drop in performance just isn't worth it
Written: Jul 06 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The CUSL2 can easily be configured and has many new features.
Cons: The i815e chipset sacrifices performance when compared to the older BX chipset
The Bottom Line: The CUSL2 is not worth buying because it can be drastically outperformed by lower-priced boards using Intel's older BX chipset, such as the Abit BE6-II or the Abit BX133.
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| firegate's Full Review: Asus CUSL2 |
Lately, most people have turned to the Intel i815 chipset, which is used in this motherboard, when building their Pentium III-based systems because of how easily it can be set up and because of how it offers a lot of newer features like AGP4x. This, in my opinion, is a bad idea because of the sacrifice in shear performance when switching to i815 (or even a via chipset) from Intel's proven workhorse chipset, 440bx.
I run several systems using Pentium III processors, and by comparing performance, there is an evident difference when putting the BX chipset up against i815. For example, I have two systems that are designed for use in gaming on my network; they both use 700mhz Intel P3 processors, both overclocked to 1ghz, with 256mb of Corsair CAS2 PC133 ram, Geforce2 GTS video boards, and other similar components, but one uses an Abit BX133 motherboard while the other uses a CUSL2. The difference in performance is very apparent. For example, a Quake 3 Timedemo test can be performed on both systems; the Quake 3 timedemo is a measure of performance regarded as a standard benchmark throughout the computer industry - it is executed by using the computer game "Quake 3" to measure video frame rates through a recording of a Quake 3 game that is standard on all systems. A Quake 3 timedemo on the BX-based system yielded a result of 220fps while the CUSL2 system returned 140fps - this is a HUGE difference - keep in mind that the CUSL2 system has AGP4x enabled while the BX133 system does not support it .. even with this downside, the bx system still drastically outperforms the CUSL2 system.
In business applications, differences can still be found. The actual operation of the system is evidently faster with the BX-based system. As far as stability goes, BX-based systems almost never crash; BX is considered by many to be the most stable platform ever designed.
So what's the final word - the CUSL2 isn't a bad board, but it's not worth it to use i815e when BX is just plain better.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 155
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Epinions.com ID:
firegate
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 3 members
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