System Builder Marathon, Q1 2014: The $750 Gaming PC
Test System Configuration And Benchmarks
The following tables give you a more in-depth look at the specifications of this quarter's System Builder Marathon configuration, along with the modest overclock I achieved with its graphics card, along with the same information from my previous two SBM builds. At the very bottom, you'll find all of the programs and games used for benchmarking.
Current $750 PC System Test Configuration | Header Cell - Column 1 | |
---|---|---|
Component | Base Settings | Overclock Setting |
CPU | Intel Core i3-4130 (Haswell): 3.4 GHz, 3 MB shared L3 cache, Power-saving features enabled | Unchanged |
CPU Cooler | Intel boxed heat sink and fan | Unchanged |
Motherboard | Asus H81M-K, LGA 1150, Intel H81 Express, BIOS: v.0304 (08-23-13) | Unchanged |
RAM | 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) Adata DDR3-1600 kit, CL 9-9-9-24 XMP at 1.5 V | Unchanged |
Graphics | Zotac ZT-70301-10P GeForce GTX 770 2 GB GDDR5, 1059 MHz (1111 MHz GPU Boost, 1150 MHz maximum) GPU, 1.2 V, 1753 MHz (7010 MT/s) memory | 1283 MHz (Maximum GPU Boost), 1903 MHz (7610 MT/s) GDDR5 Memory, (+12 mV, 106% power, Custom fan profile) |
Hard Drive | Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB, 7200 RPM, 64 MB Cache | Unchanged |
Sound | Integrated eight-channel HD Audio | Unchanged |
Network | Integrated GbE networking | Unchanged |
Power | Rosewill Capstone-450-M 450 W ATX | Unchanged |
Optical | Asus 24x DVD burner DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS | Unchanged |
Software and Drivers | ||
Operating System | Windows 8 Professional x64 | Unchanged |
Graphics Driver | Nvidia GeForce 332.21 WHQL | Unchanged |
Platform Driver | Intel Inf. v. 9.4.0.1017 | Unchanged |
And here's last quarter's configuration.
Q4 2013 $800 PC System Test Configuration | Header Cell - Column 1 | |
---|---|---|
Component | Base Settings | Overclock Setting |
CPU | Intel Core i5-3470 (Ivy Bridge): 3.2 GHz Base Clock Rate, 3.6 GHz Turbo Boost, 6 MB Shared L3 Cache, Power-saving features enabled | 3.8 - 4.0 GHz (20 * 200), Power-saving features enabled |
CPU Cooler | Intel boxed heat sink and fan | Unchanged |
Motherboard | ASRock Z75 Pro3, LGA 1155, Intel Z75 Express, BIOS: v.P1.90 (07-12-13) | Unchanged |
RAM | 8 GB (2 x 4 GB)Team Vulcan DDR3-1600 kit, CL 9-9-9-24 XMP at 1.5 V | Unchanged |
Graphics | Gigabyte GV-R928XOC-3GD Radeon R9 280X 3 GB GDDR5, 1100 MHz GPU, 1500 MHz (6000 MT/s) memory | 1115 MHz GPU, 1600 MHz (6400 MT/s) GDDR5 Memory |
Hard Drive | Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB, 7200 RPM, 64 MB Cache | Unchanged |
Sound | Integrated eight-channel HD Audio | Unchanged |
Network | Integrated GbE networking | Unchanged |
Power | EVGA 500B 100-B1-0500-KR 500 W ATX12V v2.91 | Unchanged |
Optical | Lite-On 24x DVD burner SATA IHAS124-04 | Unchanged |
Software and Drivers | ||
Operating System | Windows 8 Professional x64 | Unchanged |
Graphics Driver | AMD Catalyst 13.11 Beta 9.4 | Unchanged |
Platform Driver | Intel Inf. v. 9.4.0.1017 | Unchanged |
And finally, the $650 PC from six months ago.
Q3 2013 $650 Gaming PC System Test Configuration | Header Cell - Column 1 | |
---|---|---|
Component | Base Settings | Overclock Setting |
CPU | AMD FX-6300 (Vishera), 3.5 GHz (4.1 GHz Turbo Core), Socket AM3+, 8 MB shared L3 cache, Turbo Core enabled, Power-saving features enabled | 4 GHz (20 * 200), stock 1.2625 V VID, Turbo Core disabled, Power-saving features disabled |
CPU Cooler | AMD retail boxed heat sink and fan | Unchanged |
Motherboard | MSI 970A-G43, AMD 970 / SB950, BIOS: v.10.2 (02-04-13) | Unchanged |
RAM | 8 GB (2 x 4 GB)Kingston HyperX DDR3-1600 kit, CL 9-9-9-27 XMP at 1.650 V | DDR3-1866, CL 9-10-10-28 1T at 1.65 V |
Graphics | EVGA GeForce GTX 760 02G-P4-2760-KR2 GB GDDR5, 980 MHz (1033 GPU Boost, 1110 MHz maximum) GPU, 1502 MHz (6008 MT/s) memory | 1254 MHz (Maximum GPU Boost), 1801 MHz (7204 MT/s) GDDR5 memory, (110% power, +150 MHz GPU, +600 MHz memory, Auto Fan) |
Hard Drive | Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1 TB, 7200 RPM, 64 MB Cache | Unchanged |
Sound | Integrated eight-channel HD Audio | Unchanged |
Network | Integrated GbE networking | Unchanged |
Power | Antec VP-450 450 W ATX12V v2.3 | Unchanged |
Optical | Samsung 24x DVD burner SATA Model SH-224DB/RSBS | Unchanged |
Software and Drivers | ||
Operating System | Windows 8 Professional x64 | Unchanged |
Graphics Driver | Nvidia ForceWare 320.49 WHQL | Unchanged |
Platform Driver | Row 14 - Cell 1 | Unchanged |
These are the System Builder Marathon benchmarks.
Benchmark Configuration | |
---|---|
3D Games | |
Battlefield 3 | Version 1.6.0.0, DirectX 11, 90-sec. Fraps "Going Hunting" Test Set 1: Medium Quality Preset, No AA, 4X AF, SSAO Test Set 2: Ultra Quality Preset, 4X MSAA, 16X AF, HBAO |
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Version 1.9.32.08, 25-Sec. Fraps Test Set 1: High Preset, No AA, 8x AF, FXAA Enabled Test Set 2: Ultra Preset, 8x AA, 16x AF, FXAA Enabled |
Far Cry 3 | V. 1.05, DirectX 11, 50-sec. Fraps "Amanaki Outpost" Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA, Standard ATC., SSAO Test Set 2: Ultra Quality, 4x MSAA, Enhanced ATC, HDAO AMD/ HBAO NVidia |
F1 2012 | Version 1.3.3.0, Direct X 11, Built-in Benchmark Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Ultra Quality, 8x MSAA |
Arma 3 | Version 1.08.113494, 30-Sec. Fraps "Infantry Showcase" Test Set 1: Standard Preset, No AA, Standard AF Test Set 2: Ultra Preset, 8x FSAA, Ultra AF |
Battlefield 4 | Version 1.0.0.1, DirectX 11, 100-sec. Fraps "Tashgar" Test Set 1: Medium Quality Preset, No AA, 4X AF, SSAO Test Set 2: Ultra Quality Preset, 4X MSAA, 16X AF, HBAO |
Grid 2 | Version 1.0.85.8679, Direct X 11, Built-in Benchmark Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA Test Set 2: Ultra Quality, 8x MSAA |
Audio/Video Encoding | |
HandBrake CLI | Version: 0.99, Video: Video from Canon Eos 7D (1920x1080, 25 frames) 1 Minutes 22 Seconds, Audio: PCM-S16, 48,000 Hz, Two-Channel, to Video: AVC1 Audio: AAC (High Profile) |
iTunes | Version 11.0.4.4 x64: Audio CD (Terminator II SE), 53 minutes, default AAC format |
LAME MP3 | Version 3.98.3: Audio CD "Terminator II SE", 53 min, convert WAV to MP3 audio format, Command: -b 160 --nores (160 Kb/s) |
TotalCode Studio 2.5 | Version: 2.5.0.10677, MPEG-2 to H.264, MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec, 28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG-2), Audio: MPEG-2 (44.1 kHz, Two-Channel, 16-Bit, 224 Kb/s) Codec: H.264 Pro, Mode: PAL 50i (25 FPS), Profile: H.264 BD HDMV |
Abobe Creative Suite | |
Adobe After Effects CS6 | Version 11.0.0.378 x64:Create Video, Three Streams, 210 Frames, Render Multiple Frames Simultaneously |
Adobe Photoshop CS6 | Version 13 x64: Filter 15.7 MB TIF Image: Radial Blur, Shape Blur, Median, Polar Coordinates |
Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 | Version 6.0.0.0, 6.61GB MXF Project to H.264 to H.264 Blu-ray, Output 1920x1080, Maximum Quality |
Adobe Acrobat X Pro | Version 11.0.0.379: Print PDF from 115 Page PowerPoint, 128-bit RC4 Encyption |
Productivity | |
ABBYY FineReader | Version 10.0.102.95: Read PDF save to Doc, Source: Political Economy (J. Broadhurst 1842) 111 Pages |
Autodesk 3ds Max 2013 | Version 15.0 x64: Space Flyby Mentalray, 248 Frames, 1440x1080 |
Blender | Version 2.67b, Cycles Engine, Syntax blender -b thg.blend -f 1, 1920x1080, 8x Anti-Aliasing, Render THG.blend frame 1 |
Visual Studio | Version 10.0, Compile Google Chrome, Scripted |
Compression | |
7-Zip | Version 9.28, LZMA2, Syntax "a -t7z -r -m0=LZMA2 -mx=5" Benchmark: THG-Workload-2012 (1.3 GB) |
WinRAR | Version 4.2, RAR, Syntax "winrar a -r -m3" Benchmark: THG-Workload-2012 (1.3 GB) |
WinZip | Version 17.0 Pro, Syntax "-a -ez -p -r" Benchmark: THG-Workload-2012 (1.3 GB) |
Synthetic Benchmarks and Settings | |
3DMark 11 | Version: 1.0.3, Performance Suite |
3DMark Professional | Version: 1.2.250.0, Fire Strike Standard and Extreme |
SiSoftware Sandra 2013 | Version: 2013.01.19.50, Processor Arithmetic, Cryptography, Memory Bandwidth Benchmarks |
Current page: Test System Configuration And Benchmarks
Prev Page Improving High-Res Gaming By Overclocking Graphics Next Page Results: SyntheticsStay on the Cutting Edge
Join the experts who read Tom's Hardware for the inside track on enthusiast PC tech news — and have for over 25 years. We'll send breaking news and in-depth reviews of CPUs, GPUs, AI, maker hardware and more straight to your inbox.
-
blackmagnum This is the everyday Joe sort of gaming PC... cheap and workable. Why not Core i5 quad-core?Reply -
hmp_goose "The games we just added are unquestionably less processor-bound." This sounds like a major oversight, I fear …Reply -
ingtar33 nice build, and a good example of how even modern multi-threaded games are STILL at their heart primarily single or dual threaded games. We see this in BF4 most clearly, as the advantage of MOAR CORZ vanishes once you pass the 3rd core on the cpu... meaning a dual cored and hyperthreaded intel is still a viable gaming option; and though you can get an fx8320 for the same price as that i3, almost nothing truely makes use of 8 cores yet. I say yet, because the next gen game consoles will force games to become truly multithreaded in the future. Purhaps down the road the old piledriver chips will start to look like a great gaming value, but the situation today is still largely the same problem facing AMD 3 years ago... which is games simply don't really need MOAR CORZ. Not really anyway. I'm sure some people will have issues with using an i3, but really i think it was a fantastic read; and quite informative. Its important we keep things in perspective... and as things stand now you really don't need much more cpu power then a dual cored pentium or i3... or i guess quad core phenomII or piledriver fx.it all comes down to what you can afford to build around it.Reply -
lostgamer_03 The i3 was a bad choice, why not get an i5-3330 which is about the same in price and it offers 2 more fully enabled cores, which really would help in applications and the 'newer' games.The MOBO would also be cheaper as it is last gen.Reply -
de5_Roy the psu was a smart choice for the case, imo. modular cabling prevented the usual clutter seen in cases like these. the resulted unusually clean look of the inside. 80+ gold efficiency is also welcome. i don't think clean cable management can be measured in charts, but it's an added bonus.Reply -
pauldh That's what I thought too de5_Roy. Modular and 80 PLUS Gold was well worth spending an extra $15.Reply -
bemused_fred The i3 was a bad choice, why not get an i5-3330 which is about the same in price and it offers 2 more fully enabled cores, which really would help in applications and the 'newer' games.The MOBO would also be cheaper as it is last gen.
When I first saw the parts list for this build, I expected myself to be in full agreement with you. I mean, can you imagine someone suggesting paring a GTX 680 with an I3? Ludicrous. They'd be laughed out the forums. However, looking at the benchmarks for the highest settings in 1920x1080 and 4800x900, I found there were 2 types of results
1. Those where the I3 and the GTX 770 build beat, or were within a few FPS of the I5 and R9-280X build:
Battlefield 3
Battlefield 4
Arma 3
Far Cry 3
2. Those where the I5 and R9-280X beat the I3 and GTX 770 build by a significant margin, but where all frame rates were well above 60FPS:
F1 2012
Grid 2
Skyrim
So, while overall performance percentage charts might put the I3 and GTX 770 behind the I5 and R9-280X behind in certain games, in a real-life setting, it seems that the I3 and GTX 770 is an equally good build. Which is really not what I was expecting.nalmost nothing truely makes use of 8 cores yet. I say yet, because the next gen game consoles will force games to become truly multithreaded in the future.
Citations desperately needed. The XBOX 360 had 3 hyper-threaded CPUs and the PS3 had a 7-core cell CPU, but this didn't push PC games during this period beyond dual cores. Indeed, as late as January 2012, Tom's hardware was finding it impossible to recommend any Quad-core AMD processors over intel Dual-core processors and as late as December 2012, dual-core Intel pentiums were taking the low-end recommendations, as they were still better at gaming at this point than 4-core AMD processors. Indeed, it wasn't until February 2013 that they reversed this recommendation, so any assumption that consoles having more cores will result in P.C. games using more cores doesn't really stand up to scrutiny, I'm afraid. -
pauldh The i3 was a bad choice, why not get an i5-3330 which is about the same in price and it offers 2 more fully enabled cores, which really would help in applications and the 'newer' games.The MOBO would also be cheaper as it is last gen.
As explained on page 1, the whole idea here with this build was to spend less on the platform, more-than covering the premiums on graphics, RAM, and ODD vs. our last purchase.
Sure we'd go i5 if priced the same. But the -3330 is $60 more @ $190, just like the -3470 used last quarter. The -3350P saves $10 off that. H61 doesn't save much, starting $5-10 below H81, and then we'd give up capitalizing on the i5's limited overclocking. -
pauldh @bemused_fred - Yes, exactly! Good post.Reply
I was surprised to see i3 didn't yield any meaningful drop in minimum fps, at all! In fact, minimums often appeared GPU-bound, and the new GTX 770 rig won out, especially OC'ed. System bound at 70+ fps and up full-time in Skyrim or F1 2012 is hardly a loss, but an extra 3-8 fps consistently down low in ARMA III and Far Cry 3 could come in handy.
-
redgarl CPU choice is really overated with a single graphic card. The conclusion proves it. I would even stretch to go AMD to cut some money to fetch up two 750ti-760 GTX or 2 R7 graphic card.CF or SLI of two low tier graphic cards provide really good performances for a budget.Reply