SE6:
3DMark 2000 1024 x 768 - 16bit	5,945 marks (Figure 5)
3DMark 2000 800 x 600 - 16bit	6,479 marks
C.C Winstone 2000	31.5 (Figure 6)
BAPCO SYSmark 2000	161 (Figure 7)

Each test is run four times, then averaged to produce the final result. The SE6 Bios was upgraded to the latest version and this obviously made a difference to the Winstone and SYSmark results, though we have to say not to the 3DMark 2000 benchmarks.

SL6:
3DMark 2000 1024 x 768 - 16bit	5,904 marks (Figure 5)
3DMark 2000 800 x 600 - 16bit	6,458 marks
C.C Winstone 2000	30.5 (Figure 6)
BAPCO SYSmark 2000	159 (Figure 7)

Each test is run four times, then averaged to produce the final result. The SL6 performs well even with the lack of ATA/100, although the Bios was also upgraded with the latest version and this obviously made a difference to the score overall.

VH6:
3DMark 2000 1024 x 768 - 16bit	5,915 marks (Figure 5)
3DMark 2000 800 x 600 - 16bit	6,479 marks
C.C Winstone 2000	28.1 (Figure 6)
BAPCO SYSmark 2000	154 (Figure 7)

Each test is run four times, then averaged to produce the final result. The VH6 performs well and the 3DMark 2000 800 x 600 scores are identical to the SE6. SE6 Bios was upgraded to the latest version and this obviously made a difference to the Winstone and SYSmark results, though we have to say not to the 3DMark 2000 benchmarks.

Our Verdict
In the early stages of our testing it was clear the SE6 had the advantage over the other two motherboards, mainly due to it's ATA/100 advantage. Having used the same hard disk drive in all our test, we are certain if we had the equivalent hard drive in ATA/66 for the VH6 and SL6, the performance would have suffered somewhat. The SL6 and VH6 both performed well in comparison to the SE6, however if it is raw speed you are after than the SE6 is currently unbeatable.

The SL6 and VH6 is an odd pair, as these can only be seen as a budget/upgrade option, both performed well, the only reason you would opt for these would be on the basis of not wishing to have ATA/100, additionally the VH6 does not have video on-board, hence a saving on the cost of the motherboard.

The Abit motherboards performed well, stability was not an issue as we did not encounter any problems, all the motherboards came with the relevant drivers and were retail packed, support from Abit is exemplary, as a test we sent an email, and received the reply within a few hours, bear in mind the time difference. We have not changed our mind from our previous experience with the Abit SE6. It is still worthy of the award we gave to the last time around. Well done Abit for producing sound, quality, reliable and leading edge performance based motherboards.

NOTE: For your tweaking dream, we have a link to a site that will enable you to tweak the VH6 - Apollo Pro 133A chipset using the WPCREDIT and WPCRSET utilities, which directly edit the registers of the chipset. Go get from H.Oda.

Prev