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