Single file compression test

• The set of testfiles are publicly available.
• Tests are done on all two test computers (2800+, Q6600).
• Programs capable of using more the 800 Mb are tested on the Q6600 PC's only.
• If a certain program includes a version for command line compression, this is used (7-Zip, WinRar etc)
• The size of the best switch settings is reported (the one yielding the smallest archive).

Multiple file compression test (includes speed testing)

• The set of testfiles is not available to the public.
• All compression tests are done on the Q6600 test computer (before 2009 on the xp2800+).
• Before starting a compression 'session' the PC is rebooted.
• After rebooting all running programs and processes (if possible) are stopped/killed when starting a compression test.
• Timing (for command line programs) is done with ptime 1.0 for Win32 (by Jem Berkes).
• If a certain program includes a GUI version, this is used (7-Zip, WinRar etc).
• The time required for both compression and decompression is measured. To have an idea of the accuracy of the timing measurements, the test is repeated three times for archivers with a compression time < 5 minutes and 5 times for archivers with a compression time < 2 minutes. The minimum runtime (= the one with the least disturbances) is reported.

Ramdive speed testing (eliminate harddisk I/O-limit)

• The speed test are all done using the 300+ megabyte MFC TAR-file
• All speed tests are done on the 2800+ test computer.
• Before starting a compression 'session' the PC is rebooted.
• During booting a 540 MB RAM-drive is activated (RamDriveXP version 1.9 from Cenatek).
• After rebooting all running programs and processes (if possible) are stopped/killed when starting a compression test.
• Timing is done with ptime 1.0 for Win32 (by Jem Berkes).
• The time required for both compression and decompression is measured. The test are repeated five times and the minimum runtime is reported.

Test Computer Specifications Q6600

• Intel Q6600 Quad Core (G0 rev overclocked to 3200 MHz, 8x400 FSB)
• Asus P5K PRO motherboard (P35 chipset)
• 4 x 1GB Corsair PC6400 Dual-channel DDR2-800 Memory (timings 4-4-4-12)
• Asus GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
• 2 x Seagate 320GB SATA II 7200RPM (16MB cache) Barracuda
• Windows XP Professional x32 edition with SP3 beta installed

Test Computer Specifications 2800+:(no longer in use)

• AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (Barton, 512Kb L2 cache)
• Asus A7N8X-Deluxe (nForce2) motherboard
• 1024 MB PC3200 Dual-channel DDR400 Memory (timings 2-2-2-11)
• Asus V9520/TD (FX5200) video card
• Maxtor 160 GB (8 Mb cache) ATA-133 and Western Digital 320 GB UltraATA/100 hard drive(s)
• Windows XP Professional (SP2)