System Builder Marathon, March 2011: $1000 Enthusiast PC

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Benchmark Results: Media Encoding

The iTunes benchmark is our only audio-encoding test, and the new system snags an easy win here with stock performance besting the previous system’s overclock.

Of course, because we know that iTunes is single-threaded, we can be relatively sure that the Sandy Bridge-based system's win is attributable to a combination of its high clock rates and improvements to its IPC throughput.

These three video encoding applications deliver the same result as iTunes: the overclocked Core i5-750 barely meets stock Core i5-2500K performance levels, and the new processor shows a huge improvement when pushed past its stock specification.

Don Woligroski
112 Comments Comment from the forums
  • americanherosandwich
    That is one funky looking case. Great $1k system!
    Reply
  • toxxel
    That case is a behemoth.
    Reply
  • dirtmountain
    After seeing that case i was afraid for Princess Leia.
    Reply
  • cangelini
    dirtmountainAfter seeing that case i was afraid for Princess Leia.
    LOL
    Reply
  • Darkerson
    Crazy looking case, but nice system overall!
    Reply
  • _Pez_
    for 1k usd seems to be a cheap system.. hmm nice review, is good to see that new processors are really efficient even when overclocked ..to bad about the 22cm cooler of the side panel of that funny case. My Armor+ has exactly the same issue with a V6gt cooler and I decided to go back to my hyper212+ :D.
    Reply
  • ava__
    you forgot to add the cost of your beloved Windows
    Reply
  • Crashman
    cangeliniLOLHuh?
    Reply
  • Mark Heath
    9511317 said:
    Huh?
    Good to see the Tom's team is on the same page XD
    Reply
  • AkIRA_22
    that has to be the ugliest case I've ever seen in my life. At the end of the day the case is 100% taste, to 'recommend' a case is futile.
    Reply