Who's Got Game? Twelve Sub-$200 CPUs Compared
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Page 1:The Sandy Bridge Factor
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Page 2:Test System And Benchmarks
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Page 3:Benchmark Results: Metro 2033
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Page 4:Benchmark Results: Lost Planet 2
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Page 5:Benchmark Results: Aliens Vs. Predator
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Page 6:Benchmark Results: F1 2010
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Page 7:Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2
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Page 8:Benchmark Results: StarCraft 2
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Page 9:Benchmark Results: Multitasking
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Page 10:Conclusion: Sandy Bridge Has Game
Benchmark Results: Aliens Vs. Predator
As with most of the titles used in our graphics card reviews (most of which are modern DirectX 11-based apps), Aliens vs. Predator has a reputation for emphasizing graphics performance, first and foremost. Let’s see if CPU performance can affect the outcome of our benchmarking efforts.
Processor performance has the least effect in this game compared to the titles we've tested thus far.
Summary
- The Sandy Bridge Factor
- Test System And Benchmarks
- Benchmark Results: Metro 2033
- Benchmark Results: Lost Planet 2
- Benchmark Results: Aliens Vs. Predator
- Benchmark Results: F1 2010
- Benchmark Results: Just Cause 2
- Benchmark Results: StarCraft 2
- Benchmark Results: Multitasking
- Conclusion: Sandy Bridge Has Game
o_O I'd like me one of those
a pc will never be gaming only, unless you have more than one, in that case, for for the cheaper dual core hyperthreaded, but if you do anything else, get a real quadcore and don't even take into consideration the logical cores.
AMD build w/AMD Athlon II x3 455 w/Asus 870 based mobo:
$89 for Athlon II x3 455
$90 for AMD mobo (Asus) w/6xSATA 3, 6 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 4 x DDR3 slots.
ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131651
Intel build w/i3 550 w/P55 based mobo (Asus also):
$130 i3 550
$150-$10 MIRc Comparable mobo (Asus also) 6xSATA 3, 6 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 4 DDR3 slots.
ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131634
**These are all Newegg prices**
AMD build (using the same Case/PSU/RAM/DVD parts in both systems)
$179 + shared parts.
Intel build (same parts shared w/AMD build)
$280 + shared parts.
This equals out to ~$100 price difference between the 2 builds, which to me is quite a bit!
So in general when trying to factor in "Value" for the gaming buck I still see the AMD based system being the better buy. Assuming your using mobo's with about the same features. If you notice the Intel based mobo's will cost you more for similar AMD based mobo's. This is where a lot of the value comes from AMD. Don't get me wrong here, the Intel based system is very good system too, you just have to pay more for them.
Yes the amd build is pretty cheap, but swap you're i3 550 with the i3 2100 and the p55 mobo with the p67 mobo, and you have a build that is now worth the $100 over the amd build
also I think this conclusion summarizes well AMD's predicament in a months time:
"the Core i3-2100 performs as well as (or slightly better than) AMD's Phenom II X4 970 flagship."
I almost missed this typo an AMD pentium hmmm something seems wrong.
If the point is that Intel has the best budget system at the current prices - then yes, the point is made. But it looks more like you're trying to prove Intel is better just before AMD launches a new generation of CPU's. While I can't speak for anyone else, I'm at least going to give their next generation a chance.
Certainly no one needs quad cores for web browsing and word lol.
quote from the conclusion page:
"Because our charts are arranged in order of processor price, with the most expensive at the top and the least expensive at the bottom,"
but the first page shows the X6 being the most expensive CPU !!!
Also I miss the price/performance graph:
X3 455 = 88.99USD
i5 2400 = 189.99USD
from the average game performance graph:
i5 2400 offers 148% of X3 455 performance but it is priced at 213% of the X3 455 !!!
how about graphing the performance progression and cost progression in one graph to actualy see the best value for money ? the last graph only focuses on relative performance but price increase is not considered (at least only in the relative more/less expensive way).
and ... do NOT test HT on I/O intensive workloads (winrar). run something like super pi or a physics simulation on the CPU. I/O limited workloads are the most favorable HT scenario.
But they still have nothing to combat AMD's APU + GPU combo.
Wait yes they do, i3..
I wonder if AMD's planning to go out in a bombshell..
Or will they make a comeback to remember them by?
Its stupid compare CPUs in games where the graphic card scores under 50pfs...
would have been interesting to see some overclocked benchmark though, to see how the unlocked muliplyer of the Phenoms would do against Sandy bridge with no unlocked muliplyer.
And I know it's an older game, but GTA has the reputation of being a real cpu killer, so would have been interesting with that ass well.
And what did i learn? that my next cpu, will be a Phenom II 955, an upgrade from my current Athlon II 445.