System Builder Marathon, Q4 2013: A $2400 PC That Costs $2700

Results: Audio And Video Encoding

Single-threaded iTunes and LAME benefit from the Q4 machine’s faster CPU. The small advantage you see at stock settings comes from Ivy Bridge's minor improvements over Sandy Bridge. The larger jump between the overclocked configurations is attributable to our newer processor's higher frequency ceiling.

HandBrake and TotalCode Studio also respond appropriately to the new machine’s higher frequency, and they likewise also benefit from the Ivy Bridge architecture's subtle tweaks.