ICOMP (index)

iCOMP for Intel Comparative Microprocessor Performance was an index published by Intel used to measure the relative performance of its microprocessors.

Intel was motivated to create the iCOMP rating by research which showed that many computer buyers assumed that the clock speed – the “MHz” rating – was indicative of performance, regardless of the processor type. iCOMP ratings based on standard benchmarks. The formula for calculating iCOMPs is like this: The largest component is the integer CPU benchmark from Ziff-Davis Labs (ZDbenchCPU), which is derived from the earlier PC Labs benchmarks. Whetstone (as implemened in PowerMeter) is used for 16-bit floating-point, and SPECint92 and SPECfp92 are used for the 32-bit components.

There were three revisions of the iCOMP index. Version 1.0 (1992) was benchmarked against the 486SX 25, while version 2.0 (1996) was benchmarked against the Pentium 120. For Version 3.0 (1999) it was Pentium II at 350 MHz.