How To: Get A 4 GHz Dual-Core For $120

Test Setup and Benchmarks

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CPU IIntel Core 2 Duo E7200 (45nm, 2.53 GHz, 3MB L2 Cache)
CPU IIIntel Core 2 Duo E8500 (45nm, 3.16 GHz, 6MB L2 Cache)
Intel Chipset: P45MSI P45 Diamond, Rev. 1.0
Row 3 - Cell 0 Intel P45, BIOS: 1.4
RAM4x 1 GB DDR-1066 Crucial BL12864BA1608
HDDSeagate Barracuda 7200.11, 500 GB
Row 6 - Cell 0 7,200 RPM, SATA/300, 32 MB cache
DVDSamsung SH-S183
Graphics CardGeCube Radeon HD 4850
Row 9 - Cell 0 GPU: 625 MHz
Row 10 - Cell 0 RAM: 512 MB GDDR3 (993 MHz)
Power SupplyCoolermaster, ATX 2.3, 850 Watt
CPU CoolerZalman CNPS-9700 LED
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Operating System Windows Vista Enterprise Version 6.0 (Build 6000)
DirectX 10 DirectX 10 (Vista default)
DirectX 9 Version: April 2007
ATI Graphics Drivers Radeon 8.7 (Vista)
Intel Chipset INF: 9.0.0.1008
Java Java Runtime Environment 6.0 Update 1

Motherboard: MSI P45 Diamond

Benchmarks and Settings

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BenchmarkDetails
CrysisVersion: 1.2.1Video Mode: 1680x1050Overall Quality: lowDemo: CPU-Benchmark2 + Tom’s Hardware Tool
Unreal Tournament 3Version: 1.2Video Mode: 1280x1024Sound and DirectX10; Window offVideo Quality:Texture Details: 1Level Details: 1 Demo: vCTF-CONTAINMENT_flyTime: 12/60
World in ConflictVersion: 1.0.0.9Video Mode: 1280x1024Video Quality: low detailsDemo: Game-Benchmark
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BenchmarkDetails
iTunesVersion: 7.7.0.43 Audio CD (Terminator II SE), 53 min Default format AAC
Lame MP3Version 3.98 Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 53 min wave to mp3 160 Kbps
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BenchmarkDetails
Pinnacle Studio 12Version: 12.0.0.6163Encoding and Transition RenderingPrivate MPEG2-Cam-MovieVideo: 720 x 576 Pixel, PAL, 25 fps, 6000 Kbits/secAudio: MPEG Layer 2, 224 Kbits/sec 16 Bit, Stereo 44.1 KHzFile Type: MPEG-2 (DVD Compatible)
TMPEG 4.5Version: 4.5.1.254Vieo: Terminator 2 SE DVD (720x576, 16:9) 5 MinutesAudio: Dolby Digital, 48000 Hz, 6-Kanal, EnglishAdvanced Acoustic Engine MP3 Encoder (160 kbps, 44.1 KHz)
DivX 6.8.3Version: 6.8.3- Main Menu -default- Codec Menu -Encoding mode: Insane QualityEnhanced multithreadingEnabled using SSE4Quarter-pixel search- Video Menu -Quantization: MPEG-2
XviD 1.1.3Version: 1.1.3- Other Options / Encoder Menu -Display encoding status = off
Mainconcept Reference 1.5.1Reference H.264 Plugin Pro 1.5.1Version: 1.5.1MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264)MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2)Audio: MPEG2 (44.1 kHz, 2 Channel, 16 Bit, 224 kbps)Codec: H.264Mode: PAL (25 FPS)Profile: Tom’s Hardware Settings for Qct-Core
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Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 HDTVMainconcept H.264 Plugin 3.2Windows Media Encoder 9.1 AP HDTVWindows Audio Encoder 10 ProVersion: 3.0NTSC MPEG2-HDTV 1920x1080 (24 sec)Import: Mainconcept NTSC HDTV 1080iExport: Adobe Media Encoder- Video -Windows Media Video 9 Advanced ProfileEncoding Passes: oneBitrate Mode: ConstantFrame: 1920x1080Frame Rate: 29.97Maximum Bitrate [kbps]: 2000Image Quality: 50.00- Audio -Windows Media Audio 10 ProfessionalEncoding Passes: oneBitrate Mode: ConstantAudio Format: 160 kbps, 44.1 kHz, 2 channel 16 bit (A/V) CBR
HD Playback (Blu-ray)PowerDVD 8Blu-ray - Disc (James Bond - Casino Royale)Video Mode: 1920x1080p (full screen)Codec: H.264
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BenchmarkDetails
3DMark VantageVersion: 1.02Options: PerformanceGraphics Test 1Graphics Test 2CPU Test 1CPU Test 2
SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2Version 2008.5.14.24 CPU Test = CPU Arithmetic / Multimedia, Memory Test = Bandwidth Benchmark