Multiple Processors

[Jbrohms]

Can I get any improvement from using a multi-processor system?

Does Gknot use multi-thread processing?

[da franksta]

Practically, expect no more increase in speed than maybe 10%, unless you're using your pc for other cpu-intensive purposes.

You should realize that AMD's 760MP(X) chipset is not as efficient when it comes to memory bandwidth as VIA266A.
In some cases, one 1800XP can be faster than two 1800MP's.

[Jbrohms]

Thanks,
Thats not enough of a improvement for me so I guess I will forget about it.

[MaTTeR]

@ da franksta

Please say it isn't so:D This doesn't sound right. I'm wanting to trade in my 2 PIII850s for 2 XP1600's. Now I have to think about it.

[adept1]

Some of the apps included with Gordian Knot are mutliprocessor aware (not Vdub or Nandub apparently) and having multiple processors makes the system more responsive during encoding tasks. And judging by the encoding time poll it seems people with fast single processor systems are getting around the same speeds as the people with multiprocessor P3 systems running around 1Ghz. I was thinking about an upgrade too recently, but I've decided to wait for the P4 Northwood processor prices to come down (as well as a dual Northwood MB). People have been OC'ing the 2.0's to about 2.6Ghz with only a high quality HSF and 3.6Ghz with liquid nitrogen! Dual Northwoods with P4 optimized encoders should be pretty fearsome combined with Intel stability (especially when using an intel chipset mobo).

I wouldn't even consider a dual Athlon system until they fix the bugs in the new AMD MP chipset (the 768?). The 760 chipset is getting a bit old and I would never want to buy some company's first attempt at an MP chipset.

[Wormz]

Actually, you can get quite a performance boost encoding movies if you have a dual processor system. I have a dual system, and during encoding, which is in fact the longest and most CPU-intensive part of the DVD2Divx process, the total CPU load is around 90%. This means both CPUs are under an average load of 90%. So if we factor in a bit of a performance loss due to cache coherency, etc., you still get a 65-75% performance boost having the second processor.

[MaTTeR]

@Wormz

That's exactly the performance boost I'm seeing with my 850s. I think it's time to upgrade to the new ASUS dualie board with a pair of 1600s:D

[LotionBoy]

I can comfirm that encoding with Nandub with dualies uses between 70-90 percent of CPU resources, meaning it is using 100% on one processor and 40-80% of the second processor. And it goes really fast. :-)

LotionBoy

[Deptmaster]

Can some of you guys with 2 CPUs post some benchmarks using vdub to encode a small avi file with both CPUs and then the same avi with just one processor? I know it might be kind off a pain to take the CPU out but it would really shed some light on the situation and its the only way we're going to get some concrete evidence. I really like to know myself because i was planning on getting a dually board as my next upgrade.

[LotionBoy]

don't even have to take the CPU out. in W2K I can limit processing to just one processor. :-) So I'll do a brief test in the next couple days and post the results.

LotionBoy

[LotionBoy]

alrightie. Just did a brief compare. This is on Toy Story 2, First Pass, Fast Recompress, no Filters. Alrightie, I have a bunch of other stuff running in the background, but none of them are eating up huge amounts of processor time or memory (I got a gig, so that's not really an issue anyway).
One Proc: average frame rate is around 22, max is 26
Two Proc: average is around 32 and the max is 39.

Hope that help.

LotionBoy

[MaTTeR]

I'd run some tests but unfortunately I'm traveling all this week with my laptop. Maybe I'll get time this weekend.

Thanks for the update LB.

[LotionBoy]

@da franksta
In some cases, one 1800XP can be faster than two 1800MP's.

Can you post a link to something that supports this assertion? I've never heard this.

LotionBoy

[da franksta]

Firstly, I'm the proud owner of a dual AXP1700 system, and I'm very satisfied with my rig.

Secondly, any gamer with an AXP1700 running on a VIA266A based mobo will outperform me in gaming, due to better handling of memory bandwidth. I know this forum is not about gaming etc, but some people are interested in more than just video encoding. If you question this statement, just check out the madonion 3dmark2001 site. You won't find any duallie here, just oc-ers.

Overall, a dual cpu system IMHO is absolutely superior to a single cpu system. Just don't get overexcited and spend a LOT more money to gain SOME encoding speed if you're on a budget.

Yours dually,

Da Franksta