Although we were afraid of the results, this time around we decided to try something new, forgoing the Core i5 in favor of a dual-core Core i3 CPU in our build. Can the higher clock rate compensate for the loss of two physical cores in our $1000 system?
System Builder Marathon, December 2010: The Articles
Here are links to each of the four articles in this month’s System Builder Marathon (we’ll update them as each story is published). And remember, these systems are all being given away at the end of the marathon.
To enter the giveaway, please check out this Google form, and be sure to read the complete rules before entering!
Day 1: The $2,000 Performance PC
Day 2: The $1,000 Enthusiast PC
Day 3: The $500 Gaming PC
Day 4: Performance And Value, Dissected
Introduction

Our mid-range enthusiast systems have been a little predictable over the past year. The Core i5-750 and Core i7-920 proved themselves to be ideal starting points in the $1000-$1500 price range. And while we’ve been able to demonstrate some specific areas of success with Phenom II X3 and X4 alternatives, the quad-core Intel lineup continues to shine as the sweet-spot.
But what about Intel’s Core i3 lineup? Can a dual-core Hyper-Threaded processor deliver Core i5- 750-class performance with higher clock speeds? Is there superior overclocking potential to be exploited? Is the Core i3 a viable alternative for someone who wants to save a few dollars on the CPU now and upgrade to a Core i5 or i7 later? Can the money saved be better spent on other components?
Those are questions we try to answer in this month’s $1000 enthusiast system, and here are the components we are using to do that:
| $1,000 Enthusiast System Components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | Asus Sabertooth 55i LGA 1156, Intel P55 chipset | $150 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-550 3.2 GHz, Dual-Core, 4 MB L3 Cache | $130 |
| CPU Cooler | Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus | $30 |
| Memory | GeIL Black Dragon 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3-1333 Dual-Channel Desktop Memory Kit | $80 |
| Graphics | 2 x ECS NBGTX460 GeForce GTX 460 SLI configuration, 1 GB GDDR5 per card | $380 |
| Hard Drives | WD Caviar Black 750 GB 750 GB, 7200 RPM, 32 MB Cache SATA 3Gb/s | $70 |
| Optical | LG 22x DVD – GH22LS50 OEM 22x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 48x CD ROM | $18 |
| Case | NZXT Gamma | $40 |
| Fans | 2 x APEVIA CF12S-BK 120 mm | $8 |
| Power | Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650 W ATX12V, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Certified | $90 |
| Total Cost | $991 | |
- Let's Give Core i3 A Chance
- CPU, Motherboard, And Cooler
- Video Cards, Power Supply, And Case
- Memory, Hard Drive, And Optical Drive
- Assembly And Overclocking
- Test Systems And Benchmarks
- Benchmark Results: Synthetics
- Benchmark Results: Media Encoding
- Benchmark Results: 2D And 3D Graphics
- Application Benchmarks: Productivity
- Benchmark Results: Crysis
- Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Benchmark Results: DiRT 2
- Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call Of Pripyat
- Benchmark Results: Power And Temperature
- Conclusion
Rather, it's a competition between three builders who compete against each other for the best value. To avoid the same things happening each month, they take your feedback into consideration and try new things. Hopefully, we all learn something in the process.
And at the end of the series, three people walk away with free PCs. Please, read these stories with an open mind, an understanding of the series, and feel free to offer constructive criticism for next quarter.
Best,
Chris Angelini
Pro tip: Not entering is the easiest way to not win
Still, we have more information than before so I can't complain.
GTX 570? (debatable)
Cheaper motherboard, maybe not supporting SLI if gtx 570 is taken over 460 sli?
$50 corsair ddr3 1600?
i5 760 with these savings?
reading comprehensions noobs
I normally enjoy these builds, but this is among the worst I've seen. For ~$10 you probably could have gotten a ddr3 1600 kit, not to mention money could have been saved on the motherboard. And with a measly 4ghz overclock, you can probably return the aftermarket cooler and get your money back.
derp
The Intel Core i5-655K Clarkdale 3.2GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Unlocked Desktop Processor ( NewEgg p/n BX80616I5655K ) is the same price as the Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor ( NewEgg p/n BX80605I5750 ) at the time of this post.
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200 RPM SATA ---49.99
Micro Center 4GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666) CL9 Desktop ---49.99
Samsung SH-B123L 12X BD Combo Drive ---49.99
x2-Palit NE5TX460FHD79 GeForce GTX 460 ---329.98
Intel Core i7-950 3.06GHz Boxed Processor ---199.99
Diablotek PHD Series 650 Watt ATX12V Power Supply ---39.99
PowerSpec Powerspec TX366 ATX Case ---17.98
Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3 LGA 1366 X58 ATX Intel MotherBoard ---184.99
for a grand total of ---999.48
It would blow that PoS they built away, let me at them!
Ps. if I were to spend it, I would say F the blue ray player and the I7-950 and get the I7-870 for 229.99 and the 97.99 X-fire mobo and go for 2 5850's with 8gbs of 1600 mhz ram. But what do I know ")