If running your business demands plenty of computing horsepower, then Arbico’s i5357 Pro has all the performance you’ll need - and more.
Like many competing systems, it’s based on a 3.4GHz Intel Core i5-3570K processor but only Arbico pairs it with a fast 60GB solid-state drive (SSD). For what it’s worth here, it enables it to trounce the competition in the overall PCMark 7 score.
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Where the best of the rest may just exceed 4000 points, Arbico’s system hits 6037. A standard hard disk is also included, providing an additional 1TB of system storage.
The use of the “K”-series processor means that the system benefits from Intel HD Graphics 4000 built into the chip, rather than the slower Intel HD Graphics 2500 you’ll find on the standard 3570 and the Core i3-3220 selected by Eclipse. However, there’s little benefit here to this unless your work involves plenty of graphics or frequent conversion of media files.
The system is built into a CiT Templar Micro ATX with a matt black finish and sensible office looks, without unnecessary illuminations, transparent panels or other gamer bling. However, it also lacks any front-facing USB 3.0 ports, although two can be found at the rear.
Arbico offers a two-year return-to-base warranty, which is twice as long as you’d get from Eclipse, but much less convenient than the collect-and-return offerings from Chillblast, PC Specialist and Quiet PC. And the second year is labour-only – you’re still asked to pay for the replacement parts.
All this unnecessary performance comes at a price. At £579, the Arbico i5357 Pro already costs a more than many similar systems. And then you’ll have to factor in a monitor, where other vendors include displays costing £120 or more.
We wouldn’t recommend this system as a standard desktop PC for multiple employees, but as a performance option for office workers who need extra speed.
