Re-testing http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vancem/archive/2006/10/01/779503.aspx on a modern machine (VM inside a MBP)

gistfile1.txt

# .NET Framework 2.0

Data units of msec resolution = 0.365714 usec
10 typeof(string)                       : count: 1000000   26.349 +- 4%    msec
10 typeof(string).TypeHandle            : count: 1000000   27.436 +- 4%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == type              : count: 1000000   35.330 +- 2%    msec
10 Type.GetTypeHandle(obj).Equals(tHnd) : count: 1000000   28.136 +- 3%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == typeof(string)    : count: 1000000    2.254 +- 7%    msec
10 (anObj is string)                    : count: 1000000    8.841 +- 4%    msec

# .NET Framework 4

Data units of msec resolution = 0.365714 usec
10 typeof(string)                       : count: 1000000   14.737 +- 1%    msec
10 typeof(string).TypeHandle            : count: 1000000   33.800 +- 4%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == type              : count: 1000000    4.546 +- 1%    msec
10 Type.GetTypeHandle(obj).Equals(tHnd) : count: 1000000   63.028 +- 1%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == typeof(string)    : count: 1000000    2.691 +- 3%    msec
10 (anObj is string)                    : count: 1000000    2.283 +- 2%    msec

# .NET Framework 4.5

Data units of msec resolution = 0.365714 usec
10 typeof(string)                       : count: 1000000   14.813 +- 1%    msec
10 typeof(string).TypeHandle            : count: 1000000   34.945 +- 3%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == type              : count: 1000000    4.636 +- 9%    msec
10 Type.GetTypeHandle(obj).Equals(tHnd) : count: 1000000   63.954 +- 5%    msec
10 anObj.GetType() == typeof(string)    : count: 1000000    2.826 +- 7%    msec
10 (anObj is string)                    : count: 1000000    2.334 +- 9%    msec