Samsung Proves Dramatic PC Performance Improvement by Adding More DRAM Main Memory; Systems performance improves up to 44% at 32MB of main memory; Low cost memory returns to the PC buying decision

Business Wire, Sept 25, 1996

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 1996--Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., the world leader in memory solutions, today announced results of PC system performance testing from research based on Ziff-Davis Winstone 32 tests.

These test results indicated typical PC performance improvement exceeding 40% depending on the amount of DRAM memory as well as the microprocessor and operating system configuration. This 40% performance boost will cost the user less than $100 for an upgrade module and the computer builder even less.

Memory complements the microprocessor in today's generation of PCs. "Memory is the fuel of the PC engine," stated Keith McDonald, Samsung senior vice-president, sales and marketing. "It has now become an extremely inexpensive way to boost system performance. The bottom line is -- regardless of the system, memory makes it faster."

During the last several years, the high price of DRAMs forced memory out of the system performance equation. Systems became dependent upon the microprocessor for performance gain. The results of testing have proven that microprocessors are under-utilized due to insufficient memory capacity in the PC.

The price reductions in DRAM over the last year have now re-opened the door for DRAM main memory to step in and boost system performance. When considering all the building blocks or components of a system, these tests reveal that main memory is the building block that provides the best price/performance value. Given memory price reductions from 1995 to 1996, it is now possible to double the amount of memory at any PC system price point and still reduce the expenditures on memory by 50%.

TEST SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS

Samsung contracted Laitron Computer Services, San Jose, Calif., (Jason Cheng, 408/321-3400) to conduct an independent benchmark study of the effects of memory in PCs running either Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0. The Ziff-Davis Winstone 32 Benchmark, the industry accepted benchmark standard, was selected to test both operating systems.

"We selected the Winstone 32 benchmark because it represents what the end user will see as they run popular 32-bit business applications," said Bob Eminian, Samsung director of strategic marketing and application engineering.

Tests were based on systems configured with Pentium 100MHz, 133MHz, 166MHz, and Pentium Pro 200MHz. These systems were configured with 8MB, 16MB, 24MB, 32MB, and 64MB of EDO DRAM memory and 0KB, 256KB, and 512KB of L2 cache. All tests were run in a non-networked environment.

"When speaking with our customers, the discussion tends to be around results on systems with 32MB DRAM," stated Eminian. "However, we believe that the future is in 64MB DRAM system configuration and those test results were even more dramatic -- up to 63% performance improvement on the Pentium Pro 200.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS Windows 95

Test results indicated that a PC running Windows 95 will improve in performance with the addition of more memory. The average PC with 16MB of EDO DRAM will improve by 15% - 20% when the memory size is increased to 32MB. Systems with faster CPUs such as Pentium 166MHz or Pentium Pro 200MHz will realize the higher gains.

Since memory was expensive when Windows 95 was introduced last year, the focus was on minimizing the memory needed to operate a PC with that operating system. "Today, we're talking about improving the quality of the PC experience for the average user by allowing him to enjoy the benefits of his software without being a systems maintenance expert," stated Avo Kanadjian, Samsung vice-president of memory marketing.

Aside from the performance gained by increasing PC configurations from 16MB to 32MB, there is the additional benefit of preserving DRAM module sockets for future upgrades that a 24MB system would otherwise fill.

Windows NT 4.0

"If we were pleased that 32MB of DRAM could boost the average Windows 95 system by 15% - 20%, we were blown away to see what it did for Windows NT 4.0," said McDonald.

Test results indicated that a PC running Windows NT 4.0 will improve dramatically in performance with the addition of more memory above the minimum required. The average business PC with 16MB of DRAM will improve by 35% - 45% when the memory size is increased to 32MB. As with Windows 95, systems with faster CPUs such as Pentium 166MHz or Pentium Pro 200MHz saw the highest performance gains.

"Certainly one of the sectors to benefit most will be large corporate users who are waiting to purchase Windows NT 4.0," said McDonald. In the business environment, the 32MB of main memory will allow users to smoothly operate Windows NT 4.0 while simultaneously running multiple business applications and browsing the internet. This ultimately increases employee productivity.

"We're pleased that memory is in a position again to contribute to the performance of the PC that drives our industry," said McDonald. "As the leader in memory solutions, we felt we needed to make the consumer aware of this untapped potential."