Intel-based Platforms Improve their Pro/ENGINEER Performance by over 3X*

Pentium® Pro processor-based workstations running Pro/ENGINEER deliver mid-range workstation performance at a fraction of the cost

SANTA CLARA, CA. October 28, 1996 – A Pentium® Pro processor-based workstation running a recent version of Pro/ENGINEER, the industry-leading mechanical design automation software, achieved performance parity with traditional mid-range workstations in a benchmark run this month at Texas Instruments Incorporated. At one-third the cost of traditional systems, Intel Architecture workstations set a new standard for entry-level and mid-range workstation price/performance.

A 200 MHz Pentium Pro NeTpower Symetra single-processor system running Windows NT3.51 and Pro/ENGINEER Release 17.0 scored a Bench95 Weighted Total Time of 100 minutes**. Compaq, Digital, Hewlett-Packard and Intergraph report comparable Bench95 results on their own Pentium Pro processor-based workstations using the same version of Pro/ENGINEER Release 17.0. A traditional workstation, costing nearly three times as much, is reported to have scored 89 minutes***.

Intel used the Intel Reference Compiler to optimize Parametric Technology Corporation's Pro/ENGINEER Release 17.0 for the Pentium Pro processor.

"The new Bench95 results highlight the benefits of a Pentium Pro processor-based workstation: outstanding performance at an excellent price," said Carl Everett, senior vice president and general manager of the Desktop Products Group, Intel Corp. "Pro/ENGINEER users can run their preferred technical application, without compromising performance, on the same workstation that runs their favorite personal productivity applications. Intel Architecture workstations provide great value and choice to technical workstation users."

"Through its optimization efforts, Intel offers enhanced workstation performance to customers choosing to run Pro/ENGINEER on Windows NT and Pentium Pro processor-based systems," said John Busa, vice president of Marketing Operations at Parametric Technology Corporation. "Intel's focus on optimizing Pro/ENGINEER for Pentium Pro workstations -- which includes full-time, on-site technical resources at PTC headquarters -- demonstrates its strong commitment to benefiting Pro/ENGINEER users."

Texas Instruments engineer Steve Levin, a principal developer of the Bench95 benchmark for Pro/ENGINEER, generated the new scores.

"With the Release 17.0 Bench95 score of 100 minutes, Pro/ENGINEER performance on Pentium Pro processor-based workstations running Windows NT has taken a big leap forward compared to the Release 15.0 Bench95 result of 333 minutes**** I reported in March," Levin said. "Intel's Reference Compiler has contributed significantly to that improvement. The benchmark I ran this month showed the compiler's contribution to the Release 17.0 speedup to be 25 percent. Advanced Pro/ENGINEER work, like the database used in Bench95, can be done very efficiently on Pentium Pro processor-based workstations."

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