We test every processor in 4 ways: memory bandwidth (and how the performance flaw affects it); 16 bit DOS using our own CBENCHP benchmark; Windows 95 using the standard real application benchmark Winstone 97; 3D and Floating point (=arithmetic calculations) using Quake.

System configuration: Cyrix 6x86MX-166 MHz PR200 (66*2.5) on Intel's TX chipset with 64 Mb EDO memory, Matrox Mystique 4 MB graphics card, Quantum Fireball 3.2 hard disk. All three socket 7 processors (Pentium MMX, AMD K6, Cyrix 6x86MX) have been tested on exactly the same computer.
 

I' Bandwidth and Performance flaw

The 'normal' rate is the rate which is achieved with the best normal way possible.
The 'innovative' rate is achieved by knowing the performance flaw and applying our workarounds.
The source of this chart is Membench. For more information click on the chart.
   
Remarks:

• The main memory read is exactly the same as Pentium MMX's.
• The secondary cache read rate is very good.
• Cyrix 6x86MX, AMD K6 and Pentium II have write allocation, that is on a cache miss, they read a whole line before they write to it, resulting in lower main memory write performance and higher secondary cache write performance. This is a design decision selectable by an internal register; if disabled, write performance is very similar to Pentium MMX.
• Secondary cache write rate is very good; much better than AMD K6's.
• Main memory transfer rate is low due to write allocation.

II' DOS benchmark

In our 16 bit (DOS) CBENCHP benchmark Cyrix 6x86MX scored: loop 0.37, program 0.45, transfer 79680 (due to its huge 64K unified internal cache), video 81970, resulting in it being 373 times faster than IBM PC/XT.

 
III' Windows 95 benchmark
 
On Business Winstone 97 it scored 54 outperforming AMD K6 and Pentium MMX
 

IV' 3D/Floating Point benchmarks

On Quake Cyrix achieves only 11.8 frames per second which is the lowest of all four processors (Pentium MMX, AMD K6, Pentium II).

Cyrix 6x86MX is a remarkable processor; while it operates only at 166 or 188 MHz it outperforms its socket 7 rivals (Pentium MMX, AMD K6) of 200 or 233 MHz respectively, in everything except 3D/calculations. To reflect that, Cyrix sells its processors as PR200 for the 166 MHz version and PR233 for the 200 MHz.
 
 
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