Test Methodology

About the tests
For the Crucial Memory Calculator tests, we used Business Winstone� 99 Version 1.3 and Content Creation Winstone 2000 to measure the overall system performance of various motherboards with different amounts of RAM. In order to produce their performance scores, these tests run applications through a series of scripted activities and measure the time the system takes to complete those activities. Each test focuses on hot spots, or periods of processor- or disk-intensive activity, where demanding users tend to have to wait on their systems.

To find out which test was used to produce scores for your motherboard, look for the test name under the benchmark results.

Winstone 99 Version 1.3
Winstone 99 Version 1.3 tests system performance using office suites rather than individual applications. It follows the lead of real users by keeping multiple applications open within the suite and switching tasks between those applications and Netscape Navigator. It also uses seven specialized applications including Adobe Photoshop, Microstation SE, and Sonic Foundry's SoundForge.

Content Creation Winstone 2000
Content Creation Winstone 2000 focuses on tools that are used to create Web pages and other types of content, such as documents or multimedia presentations. To do this, it measures a system's overall performance using Adobe PhotoShop 5.0, Adobe Premiere 5.1, Macromedia Director 7.0, Macromedia Dreamweaver 2.0, Netscape Navigator 4.6, and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 4.5. To simulate real-world use, the program runs several applications at once and switches between applications frequently.

Content Creation Winstone 2001
This version is very similar to Content Creation Winstone 2000, except that it tests newer versions of the applications. Content Creation Winstone 2001 uses Adobe Photoshop 5.5, Adobe Premiere 5.1, Macromedia Director 8.0, Macromedia Dreamweaver 3.0, Netscape Navigator 4.73, and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 4.5. Following the lead of real users, Content Creation Winstone 2001 keeps multiple applications open at once and switches among those applications.

Content Creation Winstone 2002
Content Creation Winstone 2002 uses Adobe Photoshop 6.0.1, Adobe Premiere 6.0, Macromedia Director 8.5, Macromedia Dreamweaver UltraDev4, Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 7.01.00.3055, Netscape Navigator 6/6.01, and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 5.0c (build 184). Following the lead of real users, Content Creation Winstone 2002 keeps multiple applications open at once and switches among those applications.

Content Creation Winstone 2003
Content Creation Winstone 2003 keeps multiple applications open at once and switches among those applications. Test applications include Adobe Photoshop 7.0, Adobe Premiere 6.0, Macromedia Director 8.5.1, Macromedia Dreamweaver 4, Microsoft Windows MediaTM Encoder 7.01.00.3055, Netscape 6.2.3, NewTek's LightWave 7.5, and Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 6.0. Content Creation Winstone 2003 is a single large test that runs the above applications through a series of scripted activities and returns a single score. Those activities focus on what we call "hot spots," periods of activity that make your PC really work — the times you're likely to see an hourglass or a progress bar.