encoding with Intel E5649 CPU is so slow

[jasonwoo]

Hey Guys,

I am encoding my hd video with a Dell PowerEdge M610 server, which has two Intel E5649 CPU.
This is my CPU detail:
http://valid.canardpc.com/cache/screenshot/2300357.png

The OS is Windows 2003 Enterprise x64, and system memory is 24GB.

So, this system is not bad?:D

But when I encoding with my hd video, it's too slow.

For example, with this bat:

"d:\tools\r2184\64.exe" --level 4.1 --threads auto -p1 -B 11418 --stats "1080p.stats" -f -2:-2 -b8 -r5 --rc-lookahead 20 --aq-strength 0.95 --merange 48 --psy-rd 1.05:0.15 --vbv-bufsize 30000 --vbv-maxrate 40000 --fps 24000/1001 -o NUL "D:\work\1.ts" --vf crop:0,132,0,132

I got only 1.5~1.6 fps.
1.ts is a 1min split file from a m2ts file, and 64.exe is revision 2184 64bit x264.exe.

I also tried x264_Benchmark_HD_v3.0, which is r1342 x264.exe.

here is my result:
encoded 1442 frames, 4.96 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 4.92 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 4.92 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 5.01 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 3.52 fps, 3967.15 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 3.52 fps, 3917.66 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 3.49 fps, 3900.44 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 3.35 fps, 3943.31 kb/s

where a Core2_P8400 result:
encoded 1442 frames, 30.90 fps, 3899.26 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 30.93 fps, 3899.26 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 30.45 fps, 3899.26 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 28.82 fps, 3899.26 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 7.57 fps, 3970.80 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 7.61 fps, 3971.76 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 7.56 fps, 3970.79 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 7.57 fps, 3971.58 kb/s


Damn slow, right?

So, how can I find the problem?

ps,I also tried to change the CPU cores in bios, from 2,4,and all(six), both result are the same. I also tried to change the memory to 8Gb, still slow.

:helpful:

[gyth]

--merange 48
Try without that. (also try using the presets)
You aren't specifying --me, so it should default to hex?, which should then clamp merange to 16???

Are you reading/writing to a drive that is busy doing other things?

[LoRd_MuldeR]

Maybe some weird affinity problem with the dual socket system? Try to set the affinity of each x264 instance to cores from the same CPU...

[jasonwoo]

Try without that. (also try using the presets)
You aren't specifying --me, so it should default to hex?, which should then clamp merange to 16???

Are you reading/writing to a drive that is busy doing other things?
I removed --me, this time is about 0.8 fps.:D



I tried install an vmware esxi 5 in this server, and created an windows server 2008 virtual machine with 12 GB memory and 2x6 core CPU.
This time x264_Benchmark_HD_v3.0 shows:

Results for x264.exe r1342
--------------------------
encoded 1442 frames, 57.68 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 55.03 fps, 3901.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 57.68 fps, 3902.42 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 62.15 fps, 3902.40 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 38.23 fps, 3936.58 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 37.44 fps, 3939.51 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 39.07 fps, 3947.34 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 38.70 fps, 3917.85 kb/s


I am really confused...

[jasonwoo]

I think maybe x264 has some problem with my server?

I the virtual machine:

System Details
--------------
Name Intel Core 2
Name Intel Core 2
Codename
Codename
Specification Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5649 @ 2.53GHz
Specification Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5649 @ 2.53GHz
Core Stepping A1
Core Stepping A1
Technology 65 nm
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2527.0 MHz
Core Speed 2527.0 MHz



Here is the physical machine:



System Details
--------------
Name Intel Xeon E5630
Name Intel Xeon E5630
Codename Westmere-EP
Codename Westmere-EP
Specification Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5649 @ 2.53GHz
Specification Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5649 @ 2.53GHz
Core Stepping B1
Core Stepping B1
Technology 32 nm
Technology 32 nm
Stock frequency 2533 MHz
Stock frequency 2533 MHz
Core Speed 268.4 MHz
Core Speed 268.4 MHz

Northbridge Intel 5500 rev. 13
Southbridge Intel 82801IB (ICH9) rev. 02



Noticed that Core Speed, physical machine is 268.4 Mhz, and virtual machine is 2527.0 MHz.

So, what is the cause?

[Blue_MiSfit]

Maybe some weirdness with Server 2003. You're sure you installed all the Windows Updates? Also, you mentioned that your VM was running 2008. Why don't you try 2008 (R2 SP1, right??) on the bare metal?

Derek

[Atak_Snajpera]

what speed do you get in x264 fhd benchmark? also try to disable ht.

[Audionut]

Why don't you try 2008 (R2 SP1, right??) on the bare metal?

Agreed. Even the benchmarks in the VM (while being faster), still fluctuate to much.

[Juce]

I also tried x264_Benchmark_HD_v3.0, which is r1342 x264.exe.The Tech ARP's x264 benchmark is outdated (also 4.0 is outdated).

Noticed that Core Speed, physical machine is 268.4 Mhz, and virtual machine is 2527.0 MHz.Try to disable SpeedStep (or something) in BIOS.

[jasonwoo]

Thanks everyone.

I installed Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise, still cpu-z and intel processor identification utility report cpu works at 26x.x Mhz, which suppose to 2530Mhz.

I think something wrong with my server, but I have already update the bios to latest and shutdown C states and C1E in my bios.

I contact Dell tech support, and waiting for answers...