Which CPU for Video Encoding?

[Zap]

I'm using a Core 2 Duo E6300 1.8GHz Conroe and it works just fine for everything but HD video encoding. It encodes HD okay, but my computer slows down enough to interfere with my multitasking; for example, watching reruns of 21 Jump Street on Hulu.

Encoding is very CPU intensive. A higher MHz CPU will encode faster, but it still takes up all the cores. You can go quad core as suggested.

Alternately look into GPU accelerated transcoding. AFAIK your choices would be somewhat limited because only a handful of software supports it and they may not be as feature-filled, but they can often do the work in a fraction of the time and with less impact on your existing CPU.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Thanks. I think the GPU accelerated transcoding is a bit advanced for me at this point, since I just do video blogging, LOL. But, I'm going to mosey over to Google and do some reading. I'll bookmark any good info I come across for future reference, because making a documentary is on my "To Do Before 50" list. Time is winding down...

Encoding is very CPU intensive. A higher MHz CPU will encode faster, but it still takes up all the cores. You can go quad core as suggested.

Alternately look into GPU accelerated transcoding. AFAIK your choices would be somewhat limited because only a handful of software supports it and they may not be as feature-filled, but they can often do the work in a fraction of the time and with less impact on your existing CPU.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

no point going amd. Keep your current board and get a quad. Intels preform better in this area anyway

Phenom II is equal to Core 2 Quad.

 

[Markfw]

Phenom II is equal to Core 2 Quad.

Not in most things. Do you have a link ? They are not bad, but C2Q is better.

 

[aigomorla]

Not in most things. Do you have a link ? They are not bad, but C2Q is better.

it comes out pretty close...

but its not an option for him.

HE would need a new board + cpu.. instead of just a new cpu.

 

[lsquare]

if you doing heavy duty encoding work you need to get yourself a daughter card just for it:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/leadtek-winfast-pxvc1100,2523.html

winfast PxVC1100 is a Cell CPU on a card tuned for nothing but h264 encoding jobs. check it out. No need to dump so much cash on the rest of the machine and it's extremely power efficient for encoding jobs. As long as you got a PCIe 1x slot open. I think with this card your current machine can beat up a i7 in encoding jobs.

Can the Winfast PXVC1100 be configured to use with other h.264 encoders? Or it's restricted to only the software that's included?

 

[alyarb]

there is an SDK available but right now it only works with TMPEGEnc which is not enough.

this is a still birth until x264 support comes along.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Since my motherboard is fine, I decided to stick with Intel and upgrade just my CPU and RAM for right now. I'll upgrade everything else, incrementally, in the next few months. So, I went with the Q8300 and 4GB of 800MHz RAM.

I won't have to update the BIOS on my ASUS P5B motherboard because the Q8300 needs version 2001 for 1333MHz FSB support, and I'm already running version 2101. Yay! So one question, I should be able to just put the CPU in and reboot w/o reinstalling my OS, right?

The Details

$119.00 - $30 Instant Savings = $89.99 w/ Free Shipping
Crucial Ballistix 4096 (2 x 2048MB) PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3ORDER-_-Deals

$149.00 w/ Free Shipping
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Processor 2.5GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333MHz FSB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3ORDER-_-Deals

Subtotal & Total: $239.98 shipped

*********
I was able to stay under my (revised) budget of $250.00 and get free shipping. I'll also be getting back 8%-10% of what I spent under the Bing Cashback program. That comes out to $19.19 - $23.99, so I'm happy.

 

[F1N3ST]

Since my motherboard is fine, I decided to stick with Intel and upgrade just my CPU and RAM for right now. I'll upgrade everything else, incrementally, in the next few months. So, I went with the Q8300 and 4GB of 800MHz RAM.

I won't have to update the BIOS on my ASUS P5B motherboard because the Q8300 needs version 2001 for 1333MHz FSB support, and I'm already running version 2101. Yay! So one question, I should be able to just put the CPU in and reboot w/o reinstalling my OS, right?

The Details

$119.00 - $30 Instant Savings = $89.99 w/ Free Shipping
Crucial Ballistix 4096 (2 x 2048MB) PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3ORDER-_-Deals

$149.00 w/ Free Shipping
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Processor 2.5GHz/4MB L2 Cache/1333MHz FSB
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3ORDER-_-Deals

Subtotal & Total: $239.98 shipped

*********
I was able to stay under my (revised) budget of $250.00 and get free shipping. I'll also be getting back 8%-10% of what I spent under the Bing Cashback program. That comes out to $19.19 - $23.99, so I'm happy.

Yes, no need to do anything for a CPU, though once you get into windows it'll prolly make you reboot for some driver crap for the 4 vs 2 cores.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Way better ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241

 

[EnzoLT]

whats wrong with ballistix? also, op doesnt have to fiddle with rebates

 

[n7]

whats wrong with ballistix? also, op doesnt have to fiddle with rebates

The DDR2-800 ones are well known to be of very questionable reliability.

There have been tons of issues w/ them [comparatively from i've gathered from various forums], so yeah, even i'd be staying away.

 

[EnzoLT]

Hmm, cuz thats what I've always used. From my Asus to my Gigabyte, no reliability problems whatsoever but ultimately, it comes down to the op's decision.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

I bought what I could afford, and that's that.

Way better ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145241

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

Thanks.

Yes, no need to do anything for a CPU, though once you get into windows it'll prolly make you reboot for some driver crap for the 4 vs 2 cores.

 

[soccerballtux]

Not in most things. Do you have a link ? They are not bad, but C2Q is better.

When you factor in overclocking the cpu-NB to 2.6-8, at 2.6 you get a guaranteed 10% performance increase in practically every application (I'm not aware of any that you don't). Depending on frequency of branches in the code, it can be up to 15-8%. (rarely have I seen 18% improvements, it was only in one application, which of course eludes me at the moment; there were a few with 13-15% improvements)

So, 3.0Ghz/3.4Ghz * 110% = 0.97.
Now, 97% of the performance of these numbers (the 965BE)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=102&p2=49

Is pretty darn close. So, a little slower in some benches, little faster in others. On the whole a bit slower. But inconsequential to me when you get the Crossfire upgrade option, and SATA RAID for free. I'm currently running the SATA for fun; the Crossfire I might do one day if I get a 5870 or 6870.

On top of that my board does re-encoding to DD 5.1 on the fly, and sends it out over optical SPDIF to my z-5500 sound system. To get all these features on an Intel motherboard (so that I could get that extra 5% Intel performance) would have cost a lot lot more.

Thoughts? have I convinced you? or persuaded you at all?

 

[soccerballtux]

if you doing heavy duty encoding work you need to get yourself a daughter card just for it:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/leadtek-winfast-pxvc1100,2523.html

winfast PxVC1100 is a Cell CPU on a card tuned for nothing but h264 encoding jobs. check it out. No need to dump so much cash on the rest of the machine and it's extremely power efficient for encoding jobs. As long as you got a PCIe 1x slot open. I think with this card your current machine can beat up a i7 in encoding jobs.

That's quite impressive. I had no idea. Besides, h264 ought to be good enough for anyone.

 

[aamsel]

oops

 

[Kenmitch]

oops

 

[soccerballtux]

oops

 

[aamsel]

oops

I had posted negative about the Ballistix as well.
My horrid experience was with the same speed DDR-2 1GB Ballistix modules, not the 2GB.
I had 8 bad sticks a couple years ago, RMA'd for 8 defective sticks!
Caused me to stop buying Crucial RAM, which previously I had liked a lot.

I then deleted the post (re: oops) but seeing those yellow modules almost makes
me shiver!

n7 is likely correct that these modules are also well known as problematic.

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

I just wanted to update this thread. I received my Q8300 and 4GB Ballistix RAM (800MHz) a couple of hours ago. I got everything installed just fine. I hope all continues to be well. I wasn't prompted to reinstall drivers or boot several times. I haven't tried any video encoding yet, but everything is snappier and, including surfing.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Udgnim]

too late now, but wouldn't you be able to set priority to "Below Normal" for the encoding software and multitask np?

 

[mfenn]

I just wanted to update this thread. I received my Q8300 and 4GB Ballistix RAM (800MHz) a couple of hours ago. I got everything installed just fine. I hope all continues to be well. I wasn't prompted to reinstall drivers or boot several times. I haven't tried any video encoding yet, but everything is snappier and, including surfing.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Check the task manager and make sure that you see 4 CPU usage graphs.