While power differences are significant, we really expected even larger differences between the overclocked/overvolted $3,000 system and the stock-voltage overclocked $1,500 build. Given its far lower performance, the $750 system’s efficiency is already starting to look a little weak.

Putting the performance differences into numbers gives us perspective, while also allowing us to further calculate efficiency.

All three machines were built for overclocking and the overclocked $3,000 PC leads the overclocked $750 PC by an impressive 71% (238% ÷ 139%, above). Those with high expectations and less cash might instead find the overclocked $1,500 system’s 53% gain acceptable.
Efficiency is determined by dividing average performance by average power consumption, using the slowest configuration as the baseline.

With 70% higher performance than the slowest configuration while consuming 24% more power, the stock-speed $3,000 machine leads our efficiency chart. Thanks to its use of stock CPU core voltage in overclocking, the $1,500 PC gains 1% in efficiency at the higher speed. Another impressive efficiency increase is the $750 overclocked configuration, as enabling its fourth core improved performance significantly at a marginal power consumption increase.
- The Bigger They Come…
- Test Settings
- Benchmark Results: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Benchmark Results: Crysis
- Benchmark Results: DiRT 2
- Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Call of Pripyat
- Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding
- Benchmark Results: Productivity
- Benchmark Results: 3DMark And PCMark
- Benchmark Results: SiSoftware Sandra
- Power And Efficiency
- The Harder They Fall
A big +1 to Mr. Henningsen and the other builders.
But I would say that it should also go to AMD for giving such a CPU...
Low-Mid segment, AMD still rules in terms of value and performance...
Now I'm even more impressed with the Athlon II X3 435.
The 750$ Rig was the most impressive for me.
A big +1 to Mr. Henningsen and the other builders.
Now I'm even more impressed with the Athlon II X3 435.
The 750$ Rig was the most impressive for me.
Drop to a 500gb HDD and step up for the 1gb 4850s, and you have a very well balanced high power system with budget parts. Bravo Paul. Good showing Don and Tom.
But I would say that it should also go to AMD for giving such a CPU...
Low-Mid segment, AMD still rules in terms of value and performance...
On the subject of AVG, I'd leave it in the benchmarks as a valid example of a program a lot of people use, making its results relevant even if they look a little odd.
Antec 300 Illusion (same case)
Gygabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H (same motherboard)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS
G.Skill (2x2GB) DDR3 1333
AMD Phenom II X3 720
Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 5750 (recently added)
Corsair 450VX
Samsung SH-S223B DVD Burner
At the time it cost slightly less, without OS and including the recently added Radeon HD 5750 totals $737.55
I have very similar benchmarks, slightly better actually and am very satisfied with the system. I have successfully unlocked the fourth core of the BE 720 and ran benchmarks after overclocking the processor and video card. It's an outstanding system for the price, more than I need. Actually I have locked back down the fourth core and do not keep it over-clocked as I don't do a lot of gaming.
Great work!
Probably for shipping purposes. Shipping as is would be iffy, and plus, this is a SYSTEM BULDERS marathon, so it wouldn't make since to send the pc built already
Usually I set for the 'enthusiast' build, but this marathon brought up a real champion of the masses with the 750 build.
With a little budget Paul achieved what should be the core of the SBM series: the best performance on a given budget.
Mind you: not awesome synthetics that almost never translate into real world performance, not best bang/buck with cramped performance... real value where it really matters.
Grats to Paul and here's to waiting for the next SBM, you've set a really high bar here, mister.
1) That $750 rig packs an impressive amount of power for something so inexpensive.
2) You actually get very, very little for the money jumping from $1500 to $3000.
Use your hsf money for a h50-1 corsair self contained water unit.
Build
Conquer
Relish and enjoy