Is Video Encoding more CPU or GPU intensive??????

[redgtxdi]

In specific, working with my mini-DV video camera, I'm considering what it might take to hurry up the processing time.

Uploading is only as fast as the camera can play.

Encoding to DVD format take a while. (This seems to be the weak link in video encoding)

Burning has gotten better as burners improve & increase in speed.


So if "encoding" to DVD is what takes me the longest..........would I be better off upgrading the CPU, or upgrading the video card???


TIA :thumbsup:

 

[VTrider]

CPU followed by Memory would have the biggest effect on video encoding, don't worry about your GPU.

You might get more detailed advice if you post your computer configuration for video editing.

 

[Bobthelost]

CPU is the key. I haven't seen my RAM useage hit anything impressive myself, although i haven't looked for when i'm doing H264 transcoding. The GPU is (for the most part) irrelevant.

 

[mrbobdobalina81]

Definitely CPU. GPU is mostly for 3d rendering etc..

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: VTrider
CPU followed by Memory would have the biggest effect on video encoding, don't worry about your GPU.

You might get more detailed advice if you post your computer configuration for video editing.

OK..........here comes the embarrassing part.................

Little cube mini S478 running........

2.4 Celery
512 PC3200
200gb Seagate
ATI 7500 AIW (this pc's in my daughter's room so AIW gives her TV she wants)
DVD+/-R/RW

I have a *real* P4 2.8Ghz (533) and I'm assuming that'd help a bit, but the Celery honestly doesn't do too shabby.

 

[Ayah]

New computer.

 

[bamacre]

The video card won't help one bit. Get a faster CPU. IIRC, encoding certain formats will even take advantage of dual cores.

 

[vorgusa]

some video cards will help encode.. like the ATI ones can help if you have the proper software that utilizes it

 

[RaiderJ]

I think the cheapest Dell PC nowadays is faster than your machine!

 

[jackschmittusa]

You could pick up a mb + a64 3400 at Newegg for $100, and a gig of ram for another $100 that would be a huge improvement over your current rig.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi

Originally posted by: VTrider
CPU followed by Memory would have the biggest effect on video encoding, don't worry about your GPU.

You might get more detailed advice if you post your computer configuration for video editing.

OK..........here comes the embarrassing part.................

Little cube mini S478 running........

2.4 Celery
512 PC3200
200gb Seagate
ATI 7500 AIW (this pc's in my daughter's room so AIW gives her TV she wants)
DVD+/-R/RW

I have a *real* P4 2.8Ghz (533) and I'm assuming that'd help a bit, but the Celery honestly doesn't do too shabby.

It's the computer industries dirty little secret that a 1.6Ghz semperon is enough for 99% of applications.

*strokes computer's side*

£35 CPU, hell the case cost twice that

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: bamacre
The video card won't help one bit. Get a faster CPU. IIRC, encoding certain formats will even take advantage of dual cores.

Yeh get a conroe. Even my p4 3.0ghz northwood would run neck and neck with a 3800+ AMD (single core of course). Intel usually smacks AMD with encoding benchmarks where the cpus are the same equivelent speed. And I encoded with onboard intel video.

 

[VTrider]

Conroe?, New Computer? - Let's not get out of hand here, I kind of have a feeling that the OP is not steering in that direction, but probably looking at a quick, inexpensive solution, correct? If that's the case then 'jackschmittusa's response up there is the best solution IMO. My first thought would be to upgrade the CPU and RAM, but that Newegg deal w/ram upgrade is hard to beat in terms of cost/performance.

 

[nzimmers]

I do alot of editing and encoding. I used to use a P4 2.4C Northwood and 512MB ram. I recently upgraded to a Core 2 Duo and 1 GB of ram, and while the difference is incredible, I can take my new conroe and thrash it soundly with some of the encoding that I do.

Truth be told, any upgrades the OP buys will not improve encoding to a measurable amount.

The other option that you could do is buy a super cheap system to have as a 2nd computer and keep that one for encoding as it's primary use.

 

[SparkyJJO]

new CPU. Dual core if you can swing it.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Dual core will be excellent for encoding. You'll definitely notice a big difference.