 
ABERDEEN
P6-200SD From July
1996 Computer Shopper
Performance
Charts from Review
Windows
Performance Chart (56KB)
Graphics
Performance Chart (62KB)
Disk
Performance Chart (51KB)
Processor
Performance Chart (63KB)
Aberdeen
The
P6-200SD from Aberdeen is an excellent performer
with high-quality components. While it's priced
well above the norm for these systems at $5,995
direct, this 32MB configuration merits
consideration based on its 32-bit application
performance alone. In fact, its Winstone 32 score
of 170 puts it in a tie with the 64MB systems
from DirectWave and Gateway for first place in
the group.
Like the
FCS system, the P6-200SD uses the SuperMicro
SuperP6DOF motherboard, though its 32MB of RAM is
a more reasonable amount than the FCS system's
16MB. If nothing else, the Aberdeen system's high
CPUmark32 score of 564 shows that you don't need
an Intel motherboard to get the most out of the
Pentium Pro CPU. In addition, the system board
supports a multiprocessor setup with dual CPU
sockets.
The system
also includes an excellent mix of components. In
addition to a 2.1GB Seagate Barracuda 2LP SCSI
drive and an impressive Matrox MGA Millennium
graphics card with 2MB of WRAM, the P6-200SD
features the same Toshiba 6.7-speed CD-ROM drive
(rated at around 1MB/sec) that we saw in the ACW,
Quantex, and Sys configurations. All three of
these components performed well on our 16-bit
sub-system tests. For example, the Aberdeen's
above-average 1,270 Disk WinMark score is on a
par with other 32MB systems that include Seagate
SCSI drives. On the Graphics WinMark, the
Aberdeen system turned in a top-notch score of
28.5 at 256 colors. And like the scores of the
other Matrox-based systems, the Aberdeen system's
score of 24.7 at true color easily bests the
non-Matrox-based machines. Only the systems with
4MB Number Nine Imagine 128 boards come close,
but even these don't break 20 at true color.
Like the
Quantex system, the Aberdeen unit seems to have
benefited from the extra speed provided by the
Toshiba CD-ROM drive, tying its rival with a
score of 759 on our CD-ROM WinMark test. Most of
the systems with 6x drives hover around 700 or
even lower.
Rounding
out the multimedia components are a 17-inch
Orchestra monitor with a viewing area measuring
5.7 inches diagonally and a 1,280x1,024
capability, and the Creative Labs Sound Blaster
AWE32 sound card, an excellent wavetable MIDI
board that Aberdeen pairs with a good set of MIDI
Land MLi-95 speakers.
Unlike most
of the high performers in the group, though, the
Aberdeen configuration comes with an unimpressive
one-year warranty. Adding just a year of onsite
service costs $199.95, easily double the price of
similar policies in the group. Also, note that
you actually can save money while doubling the
size of both your main system memory and graphics
RAM if you go with the DirectWave system. If you
plan on using your system for high-end NT
applications, this difference may mean more to
you than if you primarily will be running
mainstream business applications. But whatever
their specific needs, power users should put this
Aberdeen system on their short list.
©1996
Ziff Davis Publications All rights reserved
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