Benchmarks: CPU
Our system benchmarks begin with the number-crunching PiFast, a test that relies heavily on single-core clock speed. The results are as expected but interesting nonetheless - the Computer Planet ND 4000 has the most capable CPU, but the stock-clocked configuration isn't able to keep up with the factory-overclocked Core i5 competitors.
Where the quad-core, hyper-threaded Core i7-3770K shows its strength is in the multi-core Cinebench test. The ND 4000 is able to rise to the top of the chart, but the other machines - armed with overclocked Core i5-3570Ks - aren't far off the pace.
PCMark 7 evaluates overall system performance and it strengthens the argument for an SSD. When configured with a hard disk as its primary storage device, the ND 4000 can feel relatively sluggish. The system takes 40 seconds to cold boot into Windows 7 and lacks the responsive feel of an SSD.
