Resolved cpubenchmark.net comparisons of CPUs

I've seen this site before (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/index.php), and I just looked at it today. I'd like to use it to compare two different CPUs in two different laptops that I might purchase. They have your computer take a series of tests, and then give a numerical score for how fast it is. You can search many different CPUs and see which ones have higher scores.

My question is, are these tests accurate? Do they only test the speed of the CPUs themselves? Or would other issues (RAM, hard drive speed, etc.) influence the scores? Perhaps one CPU gets a higher score, because most of the folks who have that chip also have other hardware that is better.

ANyone have any thoughts on this? I'd like to know if this site and these tests will give me an accurate comparison.

 

That's 3 questions - with 1 answer; yes!

If you scroll down that page a bit, PassMark explains their testing criteria - and the variables that impact results.

What the results really give you is a good idea about how two different CPUs will perform in the same computer - because you are right, many things can affect over all performance.

The two different laptops is the problem here. If you put a Volkswagen engine in Volkswagen Jetta and an identical engine in a Ford F150 pickup, would you expect the same performance out of each?

Also, it is a mistake to buy a computer based on the performance of the CPU alone. The amount of included RAM is critical (much more so than the speed of the RAM - though that matters too). Because today's computing tasks are so graphics intensive, the graphics solution is a critical component in terms of over all computing performance.

FTR, I will take a lessor CPU with gobs of RAM and great graphics solution over a better CPU with mediocre RAM amounts and less capable graphics solution.

Remember, the more RAM, the more elbow room the CPU has to work in. And the more capable the graphics, the faster it can process more graphics tasks. And it takes very little CPU horsepower to "hand off" tasks to the graphics solution.

 

At this point, I'm thinking that RAM capacity is more important than RAM itself. I've upgraded the last 2 laptops I've had, and most likely will do that with a new purchase as well. I'll probably write that into the cost of the laptop and just get it up front. I'm seeing a couple of laptops with 12 gigs capacity, and IIRC, recently one in my price range had a capacity of 16 gigs. Also factoring in is if the stock ram is in one stick or two. One stick would allow for a cheaper upgrade (I'd only have to buy one more stick).

OK I see your point. Don't just look at the CPU, but also the graphics card and RAM.

YOu know, I think I'll just ignore shopping around, and then when I need one, I'll post links to the three I thinik are best, and ask you folks to comment.