APRIL 2007 MAXIMUMPC 21
INSIDE
BEST HIGH-END GPU ................................... 22
HARD DRIVES: SPEED VS. SIZE.................... 22
BEST LOSSLESS CODEC .............................. 22
FASTEST MIDRANGE CPU ............................ 23
BEST CORE 2 CHIPSET ................................ 23
QUAD CORE VS. DUAL CORE ........................ 26
FASTEST CPU UNDER $200 ......................... 26
BEST AM2 CHIPSET ..................................... 26
$200 HARD DRIVE SHOOT-OUT ................... 28
THE FASTEST CONNECTION ........................ 28
NETWORKING BATTLE ................................. 28
PREMIUM VS. STANDARD FLASH ................ 32
8800 GTX SLI: A GOOD INVESTMENT? ......... 32
VISTA HARD DRIVE ENCRYPTION ................. 33
OPERATING SYSTEM BATTLE ...................... 33OO
nce more into the breach, dear friends. It’s the time of year when
every Maximum PCMaximum PCMaximum PC editor dives into the Lab to pit the very best editor dives into the Lab to pit the very best
hardware against its competition in the ultimate hardware grudge
match. We set out to determine which gear is fastest, what periph-match. We set out to determine which gear is fastest, what periph-
erals are best, and what is worthy of your precious hardware dollar. erals are best, and what is worthy of your precious hardware dollar.
But that’s not all we’ve got. In addition to presenting hardware-
on-hardware action, we’re also answering all your most pressing tech on-hardware action, we’re also answering all your most pressing tech
questions. Is fast fl ash really faster? How much of a performance hit does questions. Is fast fl ash really faster? How much of a performance hit does
Vista’s full-disk encryption create? Which is the best lossless audio codec? Vista’s full-disk encryption create? Which is the best lossless audio codec?
Read on to learn the answers to these conundrums.Read on to learn the answers to these conundrums.
The ground rules are simple: We test using repeatable, real-world The ground rules are simple: We test using repeatable, real-world
benchmarks and declare winners based on raw performance. It’s time benchmarks and declare winners based on raw performance. It’s time
to do battle!to do battle!BY THE MAXIMUM PC STAFF