Windows 7: 7100 X-64 WEI seems total B/S

Hi guys
Can't understand this

2 Computers computer A) with Intel Q9400 2.66 GHz gives WEI cpu of 7.4 )not bad for a "slightly" hobbled QUAD -. The "Hobbling" is the 6MB L2 Cache which makes it slightly cheaper than 12MB Cache which the Q9450 (I think that was the model) had. This machine has 8GB RAM installed.

b) Computer B with 16GB RAM installed and a "Beefier" CPU (not that computer A is any slouch) INTEL I7-920 processor 2.66GHZ 8MB Cache) only gives WEI of 7.0

Can't understand this but the "Significantly" cheaper processor (Q9400) seems according to Windows yield a better performance.

This HAS to be B/S

Similar DDR2 Memory etc.

Could be Mobo differences but a CPU test is a CPU test -- should be executing CPU instructions "Natively".

If this test is highly dependent on the MOBO then it's a total waste of time and confusing to say the least.

Any "Techie insider" have an idea as to EXACTLY what is being tested here.

Thanks in advanced from a very confused

Jimbo

Which one do you actually feel performs better out of the two?

Also maybe try taking out some the RAM on the i7 setup, I think I saw someone else post about how he was experiencing lower scores with more RAM for some weird reason.

Which is why I take WEI scores with a pinch of salt

As a comparison, my i7 920 scores 7.6, but there are lots of factors that can effect this, motherboard quality, overclocking, memory throughput, and as Mr GRiM just stated, bloating ones system with far too much RAM

A score of 7.0 ain't bad if your on 'stock' settings though.

Both seem quite fast enough for my purposes -- at this type of performance for what I usually do it's not an issue -- but I just get confused by "inaccurate" or misleading data.

I shouldn't also have to REMOVE RAM. I run a load of Virtual machines / Virtual servers -- every SINGLE BYTE of RAM is needed for these .

I'm not overclocking either of these CPU's - both running also on "Default BIOS" settings which does enable VT etc.

I don't bother with the WEI in any case for "Optimising" / tweaking a machine but it's just interesting to know how MS would calculate the "CPU" index and come up with a lower "Index" for a higher power CPU.

Cheers
jimbo

..a very large pinch of salt