System Builder Marathon, Q4 2012: $1,000 Enthusiast PC

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Benchmark Results: Battlefield 3 And The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3's single-player campaign is typically limited by graphics performance. We do see small variations at stock settings, but because the same exact Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 is used in both builds, the differences are pretty small at stock frequencies.

Last quarter's more generous graphics card overclock gives that setup a quantifiable advantage once both machines are tuned.

Skyrim

Skyrim represents the other extreme; its performance is largely platform-bound.

Using the High quality preset, Intel's Core i5-3570K has a big impact on performance, and it trounces the FX-8350 when it's overclocked. But it also wins at stock settings, too. Fortunately for AMD, even the lowest results we recorded average greater than 80 FPS. That's plenty for a smooth gaming experience.

Stepping up to the Ultra preset, last quarter's machine maintains a compelling advantage up through 1920x1080. For some reason, though, the AMD-based box is able to secure a slight lead when it gets overclocked.

126 Comments Comment from the forums
  • CaptainTom
    So a 600w PSU for one 670? Get a 500w, get kingston RAM that is $20 cheaper, a $50-$70 liquid cooler for the FX, and BOOM! More performance for the same price. I get you wanted to test a similar system, but just make that a different article...
    Reply
  • serhat359
    Could have used a 6 or 4-core FX and made more money for a better cpu cooler and case. You have already demonstrated that more than 4 cores aren't used in gaming and here you have an 8 core CPU...
    Reply
  • dkcomputer
    Thats like... The worst possible $1k build. wow
    Reply
  • boulbox
    @Serhat i agree with you but this would be a better all around build. I think he could have done better though
    Reply
  • dkcomputer
    Swap mobo for ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 and processor for a sandybridge i5-2500. No overclocking needed.
    Reply
  • wolley74
    Dat hitachi HDD, you guys do know that Seagate Barracudas are around $70 for 64MB cache 1TB storage and SATA 6 right? and arguably are far more reliable
    Reply
  • aznshinobi
    Why wouldn't you drop down a bit to the FX-8320, that's about $40 saved, that could save you enough money to get the 7970 which clock for clock is better than the GTX 670.
    Reply
  • mouse24
    serhat359Could have used a 6 or 4-core FX and made more money for a better cpu cooler and case. You have already demonstrated that more than 4 cores aren't used in gaming and here you have an 8 core CPU...
    Its not 8 core, its 4 core with dual modules per core. Shared resources. Its why you see an increase in performance between a 4300 and an 8320
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    http://valid.canardpc.com/2604796
    Reply
  • yyk71200
    mouse24Its not 8 core, its 4 core with dual modules per core. Shared resources. Its why you see an increase in performance between a 4300 and an 8320No, its other way around. It is 4 module cpu. Each module contains two integer cores (thus 8 cores total) and one FPU. It is more like reduced 8 core than full 8 core. Neverthles, Intel still is better.
    Reply