AVADirect Quiet Gaming PC System Review Part II: Can Ivy Bridge and Kepler Make Up the Difference?
by Dustin Sklavos on August 27, 2012 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- AVADirect
- Ivy Bridge
- quiet
- Kepler
Application and Futuremark Performance
The 4.5GHz overclock AVADirect was able to coax from the Intel Core i7-3770K at the heart of their Quiet Gaming PC coupled with the relatively speedy SandForce-based SSD should give it at least a decent foothold in our performance charts. It's a notch below the 4.6GHz that Origin was able to get out of the Chronos's i5-3570K, but these speeds are about the limit of Ivy Bridge's potential before heat becomes too much of a problem.
Out of the gate, AVADirect's system is looking pretty strong. The overclock and SSD have definitely given them a foothold. When we isolate the CPU from the rest of the system we should see similar results.
The CPU-limited results pretty much fall in line exactly where you'd expect. Anything that can leverage additional cores in the hexa-core systems does so, while the Origin Chronos's slightly higher clock speed gives it an advantage in certain situations.
The more recent 3DMarks plant AVADirect's system right behind the multi-GPU equipped builds, while 3DMark06 is essentially CPU limited. While I'm tempted to retire it, I do find the results fairly interesting as it presents gaming situations where a CPU can actually hold back the rest of the system's performance. Recent games seem to be hitting CPUs a lot harder than they used to, and CPU overclocks have in turn been able to produce modest gains even at otherwise GPU-limited resolutions.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
17 Comments
View All Comments
StevoLincolnite - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
I would even argue that the CPU was a bit of a downgrade. especially going from a 6-core processor to a 4 core processor.Heck, for $2,700 I would hope for a Core i7 3930K or at-least an x79 motherboard paired up with the Core i7 3820, so you could at-least drop in an Ivy-Bridge E when they become available.
Paul Tarnowski - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
The last AVADirect PC had a 2700K. The reviewer was comparing the acoustics of that system to his then-current i7-990X. Although yes, that sentence is confusing if you don't follow the link to the review of the previous system.Flunk - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
This is a gaming system, single thread performance is key so having 6 slower cores is a detriment.cknobman - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
While I am not arguing 4 vs 6 core when it comes to gaming I agree with OP on the point he was trying to make.For the absurd price I would expect a 6 core processor in this thing and for everything else outside of games this processor is in fact a downgrade.
I just built a very very similar rig to this one listed with an i7 3770k for far under $2000.
Death666Angel - Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - link
"and for everything else outside of games this processor is in fact a downgrade."Did you even read the review of the comments just above you? The predecessor had a i7 2700k @ 4.6GHz at its heart. No 6 core CPU!
infoilrator - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
You can argue the two points, you have to be doing very specialized computing to benefit from more CPU. Second, if you can afford this level of purchase, I suppose an entire new build is practical as a new tech toy.It is too bad you cannot transfer the bits into a case you like more.
Jambe - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
Speaking of pre-built computers you're likely to pay too much for; what are the chances you could get a Falcon Northwest Tiki for review? I remember seeing that some time ago and haven't looked to see if there are reviews of it from credible sources.I guess I might do a quick search for that.
Wolfpup - Wednesday, September 12, 2012 - link
Yeah, I'm actually wondering how the Tiki or Dell's x51 would hold up to being used as a "notebook", thrown in a bag every day and hauled back and forth. They don't seem that much bigger than a large notebook...Don't know if they'd physically hold up though.
iSayuSay - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
As usual, spec is okay. But come on, for the price, one would demand more, especially on the look. I never find any sexier case than MacPro, why? These PCs can be more costly than basic quad MacPro. And again, I'm not talking about spec, purely just about look and neat interior placement.Can't somebody out there design a great looking case for these boutique design tower?
My office still have a few 2010 MP laying around and yeah, these babies are just IT tech-wonder, looks clean, easy to upgrade. Everything is in order and super organized. Specs are obviously suck for the money, as usual. But you gotta admit it's the sexiest tower around. Externally and internally.
Now imagine something like MacMini, only bigger like MacPro. Smooth silver aluminum, less holes and screws and no unnecessary LED would be great. And I'm willing to pay $200 more for the case alone. Thank you.
Grzesiu - Monday, August 27, 2012 - link
The only one I can think of would be the HP/Voodoo Blacbird 002 which was ridiculously expensive. I owned one up until a week ago. Fully equipped with C2Q qx9770, 8GB DDR3 1600MHz, SLI GTX280s and a 1300watt modular psu. I still own the hardware which will soon be up for sale on eBay, but I sold the case alone for $850!