Starcraft 2

Starcraft 2 can vary wildly from being very CPU limited to very GPU limited. As a result we've had to create two separate benchmarks. Heavy battles are often CPU limited, while scrolling around a map tends to stress the GPU more.

Starcraft 2 - GPU Bench

Starcraft 2 - GPU Bench

Starcraft 2 - GPU Bench

SC2 shows us a smaller advantage over Sandy Bridge - generally around 20%. Llano is able to maintain a much larger 40 - 50% advantage as a result.

Intel HD 4000 Performance: DiRT 3 Intel HD 4000 Performance: Skyrim
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  • Mithan - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    Most gamers don't spend money on the I7 lineup, prefering to buy the Core i5 series and invest the extra money into more GPU.
  • just4U - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link

    It's not only the extra money.. Apparently the 2500K does better in a fair number of games over the 2600K (in part.. i think due to Hyper Threading) and the graphs seem to support that (altho maybe not for the reason I mentioned)

    Looking at the 3700 series though it beats out both the 2500K and 2600K so I think that one is going to be of special interest to gamers.. moving forward.
  • auvrea - Monday, November 19, 2012 - link

    bump
  • nuha_te10 - Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - link

    I'm afraid the next Haswell will be Tock-
  • Arnulf - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    Why ?

    If the statement "the significant gains we're seeing here with Ivy will pale in comparison to what Haswell provides" is true then I'm looking forward to Haswell very much. I'll finally be able to dump discrete GPU as I only use relatively mdoest dislay resolutions, and instead pour the money into even quieter cooling solution. Silence, sweet silence :)
  • Articuno - Tuesday, March 6, 2012 - link

    Nice to see AMD winning where it actually matters for most consumer applications.
  • Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    Browsing?
  • Fujikoma - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    You crack me up... that was truly a funny response.
    Seriously though, Llano isn't that bad for a generic/cheap build. I did pick one up to build a machine for my mom. The mobo and the proc. were justified by the price. I knew it wouldn't be powerful, but it's fairly energy efficient, has decent graphics and the money I saved went toward the ssd. Most people I build/fix computers for, don't come close to using them to their potential, so price becomes the biggest factor. Would I buy one for myself? No, I'll stick with the i7 I currently have and when I build my next machine, it looks like it'll be an Intel also.
  • Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    Thanks. :)

    I quite agree, Llano is awesome for what it does and provides an excellent platform for most users.

    I'm just tired of the assumption that GPU grunt is more powerful than CPU.

    It's true that most of my friends and family would be perfectly happy with the GPU muscle in a Llano chip. That said, they'd also be perfectly happy with the iGPU in something like a i3 2100.

    As for myself I'm using an i7 2600K, running at stock, but then I have somewhat different requirements.

    I'd not hesitate to recommend either Llano or Intel chips with iGPU solutions, it all depends on the person really.
  • Exodite - Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - link

    ...'GPU grunt is more important that CPU'... would probably read better, looking back.

    Ah well, you get the point I'm sure.

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