One of the most effective tools to optimize your systems performance is the benchmark. Benchmarks can tell you where you computer stands in relation to similar setups. One of the most trusted names in benchmarking is Sandra from SiSoftware. SiSoftware Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is a 32 and 64-bit Windows system analyser that includes benchmarking, testing and listing modules. It also gives you the ability to compare your machine against other similar products.
SiSoftware Sandra Professional Business XI
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Edited by: Kristofer Brozio
Sponsor: SiSoftware
Earlier this year, SiSoftware release Sandra XI. Thanks to the folks at SiSoftware, dragonsteelmods.com was given the opportunity to test out the latest iteration of the Sandra series.
Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:
This version further builds on the re-written user interface (UI) as introduced in 2007, adding UI improvements like:
Multi-Core Efficiency benchmark: Shows how efficient the processors cores and their inter-connects are in comparison to other typical processors.
Mobile Device Transfer: Shows how fast your computer can transfer data to/from your mobile device (PDA2, Smartphone2) and how this compares to other mobile devices.
New benchmark comparisons: difference bars to quickly see differences in values.
Ability to contrast benchmark results against other variables in charts.
All dialogs are now asynchronous and provide progress information.
Theme framework: you can now load different themes and customise the colours of charts; allows users to truly make Sandra look the way they like it.
From the GUI, you can make scripts from all the wizards to perform common tasks such as creating reports and Burn-in. Whats more, you can load and modify the scripts once you have created them. These scripts can be saved for later use or shared with others.
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While talking about sharing, Sandra XI now allows you to export your results and share them with colleagues, send them to friends, and post them on news groups. Once you have exported some test results, these can be imported into another install of Sandra (providing it is the same version). This is available on all versions of Sandra out of the box, and Sandra Enterprise extends the result storing by providing the Data Repository, a single database for storing results from a remote machine.
With each release, we add new support and compatibility for the latest hardware, architectures and operating systems, and this is no exception. SiSoftware continues to work with hardware vendors to ensure the best support for new emerging hardware.
Key features:
-4 platform native support (Win32 x86, Win64 x64, Win64 IA641, WinCE ARM2) in a single installer
-15 established benchmarking modules, 2 new benchmarks, native for all platforms
-34 detailed information modules
-Huge official hardware support through technology partners (Intel*, AMD/ATI*, SiS*, VIA*)
-5 language versions (English, German, French, Italian, Russian) in a single installer
-Enhanced Sandra Lite version (free for personal/educational use)
SiSoftware Sandra (the System ANalyser, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant) is a 32 and 64-bit Windows system analyser that includes benchmarking, testing and listing modules. It tries to go beyond other utilities to show you more of what is really going on under the hood so you draw comparisons at both a high and low-level in a single product.
Here is a breakdown of the some of its features contained within the Professional Version’s 74+ modules:
Remote Analysis Diagnostics & Benchmarking. You can now connect to remote systems, databases, PDAs & SmartPhonesTM as a data source.
Network support (IPX/SPX, TCP/IP). Database support (ADO, OLEDB, ODBC).
Storage Data support (SCSI, SATA, ATA, ATAPI) & removable storage.
Multi-platform desktop/server support (Win32 x86, Win64 x64, Win64).
Two dedicated Internet Benchmarks: Internet/ISP Connection & Peerage Benchmarks.
Supports WindowsTM XP SP2 & 2003 SP1 Security center
Designed for WindowsTM 2000, XP & 2003
Key Applications list (Address Book, Anti-Virus, Calendar/Organiser, E-mail client, Firewall, Instant Messenging, Internet Call, Java Virtual Machine, Media Player, News Reader, Web Browser).
Supports multi-threaded, multi-core & multi-processor systems
Complete list of applications & libraries on the system
Environment Monitor Wizard. Allows real-time monitoring (temperatures, fan speed, voltages, power & thermal resistance).
The SiSoftware Sandra XI Service Pack 2 (SP2) for XI and 2007 customers now offers full support for Microsoft Vista*, Windows Mobile 6* and with preliminary support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008*, Sandra continues to grow.
From one service pack to another, the main point is to add more support for new hardware and software. However, this release pushes that bit further in gearing up for Windows Server 2008* set to complement Windows Vista* in this ever changing technical market-place where information is key!
This service pack also includes new hardware support for recently released (and soon to be released) hardware, including:
Processors: AMD*, Intel* and VIA*, next generation support.
Instruction Set: Intel* SSE4 and AMD* SSE4A support. (Multi-Media benchmark)
Chipsets: Intel* next generation, SiS*, VIA*.
South Bridges: Ali/nVidia*.
Platform: Intel* Centrino Duo/Pro*, Intel* vPro, SMBIOS/DMI 2.5, DDR3, HT 3.0.
Hardware Monitor Support: Monitor line current and power.
Hardware Monitor Chips: Abit*, AMD*, Fintek*, Intel*, ITE*, National Semiconductor*, SMSC*, VIA*, Winbond*.
Available Platforms:
Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista*, Server 2008 (Win32 x86 Unicode)
Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista*, Server 2008 (Win64 AMD64/EM64T Unicode)
Windows Server 2003, Server 2008 (Windows XP/2003 64-bit Edition)1
Windows Mobile 2003/2003SE (Windows CE 4.2x ARM)
Windows Mobile 5 (Windows CE 5.01 ARM)
Windows Mobile 6 (Windows CE 5.02 ARM)
{mospagebreak title=A Better Look at things}
A Better Look at Things
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Sandra XI comes as a download and CD package. SiSoftware sends out a physical CD shortly after your order is placed. So you get instant gratification and a physical disk all for one price. Since this review copy was a direct download, I can only describe the packaging as seen on the website. When you order online, you get a cardboard CD sleeve and the Sandra XI CD.
(Editor’s Note: Actual Package shot added by Editor)
Sandra XI comes in five flavors ranging from the free lite version to Pro Home, Pro Business, Engineer and Enterprise. The lite version has fewer bells and whistles than the other versions, but is quite a good benchmarking/diagnostics tool in itself.
Here is the page for a full comparison of all the Sandra iterations –
Today, I will be looking the Pro Business version. The last version of Sandra dubbed Sandra 2007 featured a new interface. Sandra XI keeps this newer interface and adds a few new modules.
Installation, Testing and Comparison
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Installation is straight forward, just double click and follow the directions. You will need to put in your activation code prior to your first use.
Once Sandra XI is launched, there is a welcome screen, which features the Tip of the Day along with tips, news, offers from SiSoftware and module options.
There are seven tabs on the main interface of Sandra XI. They are Home, Tools, Benchmarks, Hardware, Software, Testing and Support.
The Home Tab features icons for Tools, Benchmarks, Hardware, Software, Testing and Get More. This section seems slightly redundant, since the same icons are the same as the taps immediately above the Home window.
There are a few new modules added from the previous version of Sandra 2007.
The Tools tab adds the ability to upload benchmark results. While, the Benchmarks section adds Multi-Core Efficiency and Mobile Device Transfer to the thirteen previous modules found in Sandra 2007.
Installation, Testing and Comparison Continued:
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The Hardware and Software tabs contain modules that will tell you everything you would ever need to know about your computer.
The Hardware modules range from Computer Overview to Mainboard, Processors, Audio Devices, Network Adapters and everything in between. The additions here include game controllers and Smart Cards and SIMS.
The modules under the software tab range from Operating System to Application Scanners to File Types. This section features no new module.
The Testing tab adds Dump Registry Settings and Dump Hardware Regs, which unfortunately were incompatible with my system.
Pretty much any system can be analyzed using SiSoftwares Sandra XI. One of my favorite features in Sandra XI, is the ability to compare your PC to multiple computers with different component set ups. That way you can see if you are King of the Hill or on the bottom looking up.
Summary:
For those who want to optimize the abilities of the PCs, Sandra XI is the right tool for the job. With its plethora of benchmarks and analysis tools, you will be able to tune your PC to peak performance. While the lite version offers the average users many benefits, those who want all the features, can choose from one of the numerous paid versions of Sandra XI.
Sandra XI seems to be an incremental upgrade over Sandra 2007, other than the newly added modules; there may not be a need to upgrade from Sandra 2007. SiSoftware realizes this and offers a free upgrade for previous owners of Sandra 2007.
As a thank you to all our loyal customers, we are offering a free, complimentary upgrade to Sandra XI to all our Sandra 2007 customers. Please contact your distributor to obtain your free, complimentary upgrade!
If you have a version of Sandra prior to the Sandra 2007 one, then Sandra XI is a great tool to get for tuning your PC equipment. There are plenty of new modules including modules that test dual core processors which are becoming the norm for most newer PCs.
DragonSteelMods gives Sandra XI a 4.5 out of 5 score.
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Pros:
-New Modules
-Complete System Analysis
-Benchmarks Galore
-Free upgrade for previous owners of Sandra 2007
Cons:
-An incremental upgrade over Sandra 2007
I would like to thank SiSoftware for the chance to review Sandra XI and for their support of DSM.
Review# 242