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Review: Power Color Dreamcode. 4.21.99
The Dreamcode is laid out very well. An integrated nVidia TNT graphics accelerator coupled with a Yamaha sound processor merge to create a commendable gaming solution. The TNT comes loaded with 16 megabytes of RAM, as well as a cooling fan to put the deep freeze on any excess heat generated. The Yamaha 724/740 is equipped with some nice features -- but by no means ground breaking -- indluding 64 voice polyphony, Sound Blaster Pro compatibility (For those of you still nostalgic for a little DOS action), and Sensaura(TM) 3D positional audio, which is compatible with Direct Sound 3D. The motherboard is based on the tried and true Intel 440BX chipset. Along with the standard 66 and 100 MHz front side bus speeds, 75, 83, 112, and 133 MHz settings are also supported. On the far edge of the board you'll find PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, two USB ports, a parallel port, VGA connector, and a serial port -- more than enough to satisfy hardcore perhiperal junkies. Below is a more comprehensive list of specifications. Features
The performance of the Dreamcode isn't the best, but it's acceptable. Quake 2 displays good framerates when running at a resolution of 640X480, but drops dramatically (almost 20 frames, ouch!) once the screen size is bumped to 800X600. 3D Mark '99 also puts up good numbers, delivering scores well over 2,600 3DMarks. 2D is unlikely to be covered anymore because it's essentially a moot point: The speed difference between accelerators is now so slim it doesn't matter. What does matter, however, is the fact that the TNT chipset is getting old. With the TNT2 right around the corner and the 3Dfx Voodoo3 already on shelves, both of which are setting new standards in performance, the viability of this product as a gaming solution definitely comes into question. Sound is probably the weakest area of the Dreamcode. Four speaker output and 3D audio is more than capable of filling your ears with some serious aural pleasure -- that makes them expected additions to any newly released sound device. However, the Yamaha chip built into the motherboard, while decent, doesn't even come close to offering the visceral and surreal experiences that products based on Creative and Aureal technologies have been known to dish out. As far as the input/output jacks are concerned, you can forget about having four speaker surround sound. All you'll find is a single speaker-out port. As a matter of fact, there are only three ports on the back to indulge yourself with: the aforementioned speaker out, microphone input, and a line in port. The Sensaura 3D sound API isn't as good as I expected. It just doesn't seem "3D." Reproduction of a 3D space reminds me more of first generation products than something that's just came out. In short, the Yamaha chip isn't the bottom of the barrel, but, for a gaming solution, Power Color should have done a better job. At the heart of any system lies the motherboard. And the Dreamcode pumps out very respectable performance here. Support for several front side bus frequencies, including 66, 75, 83, 100, 112, and 133 MHz, may give some people -- you know who you are -- delusions of grandeur at first glance. However, the Dreamcode deters overclocking somewhat by not allowing the CPU voltage to be adjusted. So if you were expecting that Celeron 300/A to reach speeds of 450 MHz, you'll probably have to lower your aspirations a bit (374 MHz (83X4.5) was the fastest clock speed our test labs could produce). The most noticeable absence on the motherboard is an AGP port. If you want to replace the TNT with something newer in a couple of months, your stuck. Unless you can find a PCI based graphics accelerator, the TNT will be the only graphics card you'll use. Another infirmity Power Color's Dreamcode has is a lack of PCI slots -- there are only three. Considering most mainboards now come with at least four to five, and some with even six, the three lowly slots found on the Dreamcode are disheartening. The software bundle included isn't exactly great. With only one full version game (Wargasm) and a few utilities to play with, it won't keep you busy for very long. The likely reason Power Color didn't include a lot of software was to keep the price low -- saving you about $20-$30 to spend on other things. It would be best to take the cash your saving and buy a couple of games. A shiny new computer isn't any fun without software to play with. Even though the Dreamcode isn't the best motherboard out, it runs at a price of only $200.00. Instead of looking at this motherboard as a gaming solution, look at it as a good upgrade for someone who doesn't have a lot of cash. It uses a Slot 1 architecture, so no one should have problems with the hardware utilizing AGP correctly -- something that can't be said about Socket 7 PC's -- and you'll be guaranteed some of the fastest and cheapest gaming processors available (the Celeron/A line). Also, the performance isn't bad at all when it comes to 3D. Anyone who has a Riva TNT can testify that it's more than capable of lasting through the summer. Plenty of time for most of us to save up enough money for a more expandable system. Ambition is, indeed, a powerful thing. Like the totalitarian dictators, Napolean and Hitler, was the Dreamcode
too ambitious? In some ways, yes, but in others, they have broken new ground. The sound quality isn't anything
to write home about, performance isn't the greatest, and neither is the bundled software. But, considering that a
TNT, an Intel BX motherboard and a sound card (not counting USB ports and other components) would end up
costing anywhere from 250-300 dollars, the Dreamcode has definitely shattered the price barrier. With such a
low cost, this piece of hardware could easily find a place in your home. Pros: Good performance, lots of goodies to play with. Cons: Not the best sound quality, lack of upgradeability, no voltage settings. Bottom Line: The Dreamcode is cheap. And if your looking to trash that old 286 and start over, or give your existing system a jump-start, it may be what you've been looking for. Post Your Comments on the Message Board!
CI Rating: 89%
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mbition is a powerful thing. It fueled Napoleon's drive for conquest, Hitler's desire for world domination, and
Power Color's endeavor to create a line of motherboards that scream system integration. However, too much
ambition has been proven to have some devestating effects. Napoleon was exiled from France, Hitler was killed, and
Power Color, what about them? Is their newest motherboard, the Dreamcode, destined to suffer the same fate?
Perhaps. 