Results: File Compression
As with most of our productivity applications, 7-Zip gets a huge boost from the $2500 PC’s Hyper-Threading capability. WinRAR shows a slighter preference, and WinZip follows in its CPU-only compression setting.
Performance is still disproportionate to price for all three systems, making Paul's $650 machine appear a top value, even if it's also the slowest contender.