The Integrated Video Solution
The integrated graphics accelerator (i752 on-board video) as Intel named calls
it, is nothing impressive. Just like on the 810, 810E chips, Intel decided
to implant a low cost video solution in the 815 (E). In most scenarios, the
integrated video on the 815 chip-set should perform better than the one on
the 810, because the new one can operate at a higher clock speed.
|
i815
Accelerator- 4Mb
|
Matrox
G400- 32 MBytes
|
|
1246
Marks
|
2874
Marks
|
Here are some 3DMARK 2000 numbers comparing the Integrated
815 accelerator to the Matrox G400 32MB video card. Unlike the 810-based mainboards,
the 815 motherboards include an optional AGP port supporting AGP X4 that can
be used to install a normal quality accelerator.
I
don’t think anyone will opt for the integrated video accelerator, as its performance
is close to being horrible for 3d demanding apps, however it should satisfy
most office users.
The bundle
Transcend included one IDE cable,
an 80-pin cable for newer hard-drives based on the UDMA/66 Standard, and one
FDD cable is bundled to use with your floppy drive. A good manual covering
all the features and specification is included, and last a Transcend branded
CD-ROM including the sound drivers, utilities and some troubleshooting information.
Benchmarking Setup
Hardware
| CPU(s) |
Intel
Pentium III 1.0 GHz (Engineering Sample)
|
| Heatsink
& Fan |
3dfxCOOL
Alpha unit
|
| Motherboard(s) |
Transcend
TS-ASL3
|
| Memory |
128 MB Mushkin High Performance (REV2)
|
| Hard
Drive(s) |
IBM
75GXP 15GB
|
|
CD-ROM
|
Sanyo
CRD-BP2 CDRW
|
| Sound
Card |
On
board 3D Surround
|
| Video
Card |
nVidia
GeForce 2 Ultra - REFERENCE Board
|
Software
| Operating
System |
Windows
98SE
|
| Video
/ VIA Drivers |
nVidia 10.40
|
| |
Benchmarking
Applications
|
| OpenGL |
|
| DirectX |
Microsoft
DirectX 8
|
| Other |
SysMark
2000
|
Results
| Benchmarking |
SysMark
2000
|
|
|
| Transcend
TS-ASL3 |
183
|
| Azza
815TX |
181
|
Summation
The ASL3 is a very attractive
815E solution, not only for the ones looking for rock solid stability and
performance but even for the ones planning to squeeze the maximum performance
from their Intel Processors, its easy FSB adjust utility (1 MHz increasements)
and capability of pushing the core voltage is without doubts something that
overclockers could use. My only concern was that Transcend did not bundle
the bracket for the two optional USB ports. This should not be much of a concern
for most because the ASL3 board is very well priced compared to some of Transcend’s
competition. If you are in the market for a quality 815E board, then the ASL3
would be something to check out.
