Intel's Pentium 4 2.8GHz processor
Two billion eight-hundred million hertz
by Scott Wasson — 12:01 AM on August 26, 2002

WE'RE BACK AT IT again. Intel has a new Pentium 4 to release, and we're going to test it against AMD's surprising new Athlon XP 2600+ to see which is faster. This time out, Intel is making something of a leap; the fastest Pentium 4 was previously 2.53GHz, but today's release is the 2.8GHz variant. Almost scary, innit?

Beyond the jump up in clock speeds, there's not much new to report, but the contest with the Athlon XP 2600+ is compelling. To keep things spicy, we're using our updated processor test suite, all the latest drivers, and a whole lotta Cajun hot sauce.

Err... overclocking.

Anyhow, read on to find out just how fast this new Pentium 4 really is.

Our centerfold
This puppy looks like a Pentium 4. It looks just as much like a Pentium 4 as most other Pentium 4s. Unless you count Xeons or the old Socket 423 monstrosities. And maybe those new Celerons.


Our Pentium 4 2.8GHz review sample. Confidential! Avert your eyes.


The underbelly of the beast

Like most review samples, it's hard to tell the clock frequency by looking at the processor itself. We mark them up with a permanent marker after their photo shoots.