System Builder Marathon, Sept. 2011: System Value Compared

Benchmark Results: Crysis

The overclocked $1000 build overtakes the stock $2000 build using Crysis' High Quality setting, but only if you look at the averages. After noticing the big loss at 2560x1600, we were even more surprised to see the $500 machine manage playable frame rates at its highest-tested 1920x1080 resolution.

The $500 machine reaches 1920x1080 at Crysis' Very High quality settings, while the overclocked $1000 machine looks like it might be playable at 2560x1600. Those who really want the most realistic visual settings at high resolutions will want to take a closer look at the $2000 build’s results.

Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.